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PrintHellenic Mathematical Olympiad
Greece geometry
Problem
Let be an acute angled triangle with and let be its circumcircle with centre . At the small arcs and we consider the points and respectively. Let be the intersection point of , and be the second common point of the circumcircles of the triangles , let it be , and , let it be . Prove that the points are collinear if and only if the point lies on the A-symmedian of the triangle .
Solution
Let be the intersection point of , and be the second intersection point of , . Let be the point of intersection of the tangents at of the circle . We will prove that the points are collinear. Let be the intersection of with and the intersection of with , then: From the above inequalities we have: Therefore is an isosceles trapezium and thus it is cyclic (let its circle). This means that the common chord of the circles and will pass through the radical center of the circles . Suppose first that are collinear. Then, since are collinear, we have that are collinear, so are on the symmedian . Conversely, if is on the symmedian , then are collinear and since are collinear, we conclude that are collinear.
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Alternative solution.
Let be the intersection point of , and the second common point of . Let be the point of intersection of the tangents at of the circle . If is the intersection of and , we will prove that are collinear. Using Pascal's theorem at the degenerate hexagon , we have that are collinear. The point has power with respect to , . Therefore are collinear. Therefore are collinear.
Now it is clear that are collinear if and only if is on the symmedian .
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Alternative solution.
Let be the intersection point of , and the second common point of . Let be the point of intersection of the tangents at of the circle . If is the intersection of and , we will prove that are collinear. Using Pascal's theorem at the degenerate hexagon , we have that are collinear. The point has power with respect to , . Therefore are collinear. Therefore are collinear.
Now it is clear that are collinear if and only if is on the symmedian .
Techniques
TangentsRadical axis theoremCyclic quadrilateralsBrocard point, symmediansAngle chasing