Maths Olympiad Prep

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Problem 2201

National Olympiad second round; IMO P1/P4
Geometry Difficulty 7.4 Prove it IMO Hk TST · Hong Kong

In triangle ABCABC, the altitude, angle bisector and median from CC divide the angle ∠C\angle C into four equal angles. Find ∠B\angle B.

This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.

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Official solution

∠B\angle B can be 22.5∘22.5^\circ or 67.5∘67.5^\circ.

WLOG assume AC<BCAC < BC. Let DD be the foot of altitude from CC, let EE be the foot of internal angle bisector from CC, and let FF be the midpoint of ABAB. Let PP be the projection of EE on BCBC, and let DPDP meet ACAC at QQ.

Firstly, since ∠ACD=∠ECD\angle ACD = \angle ECD and CD⊥AECD \perp AE, we have △ACD≅△ECD\triangle ACD \cong \triangle ECD. Secondly, note that C,D,E,PC, D, E, P are concyclic since
∠CDE+∠CPE=90∘+90∘=180∘. \angle CDE + \angle CPE = 90^\circ + 90^\circ = 180^\circ.

∠CPQ=∠CPD=∠CED=∠CAD=∠CAB. \angle CPQ = \angle CPD = \angle CED = \angle CAD = \angle CAB.

Figure 1

Together with the common angle at CC, we know that △CPQ∼△CAB\triangle CPQ \sim \triangle CAB (and DD lies between PP and QQ). As ∠DCQ=∠FCB\angle DCQ = \angle FCB, the points DD and FF are corresponding points under this similarity. Thus, DD is the midpoint of PQPQ. Now, since DD is also the midpoint of AEAE, the quadrilateral AQEPAQEP is a parallelogram. This implies CQ//PECQ // PE, and hence ∠ACB=90∘\angle ACB = 90^\circ. Then we have
∠ABC=∠FCB=90∘4=22.5∘. \angle ABC = \angle FCB = \frac{90^\circ}{4} = 22.5^\circ.
If AC>BCAC > BC, then the roles of AA and BB are swapped, and hence ∠ABC=67.5∘\angle ABC = 67.5^\circ.

Source: MathNet, licensed CC-BY-4.0. Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.