AoPSWiki
Visit the AoPS Book Store.

1970 IMO Problems/Problem 1

From AoPSWiki

Problem

Let M be a point on the side AB of \triangle ABC. Let r_1, r_2, and r be the inscribed circles of triangles AMC, BMC, and ABC. Let q_1, q_2, and q be the radii of the exscribed circles of the same triangles that lie in the angle ACB. Prove that

\frac{r_1}{q_1} \cdot \frac{r_2}{q_2} = \frac{r}{q}.

Solution

We use the conventional triangle notations.

Let I be the incenter of ABC, and let I_{c} be its excenter to side c. We observe that

r \left[ \cot\left(\frac{A}{2}\right) + \cot\left(\frac{B}{2}\right) \right] = c,

and likewise,

\begin{matrix}c & = &q \left[ \cot\left(\frac{\pi - A}{2}\right) + \cot \left(\frac{\pi - B}{2}\right) \right]\\&...

Simplifying the quotient of these expressions, we obtain the result

\frac{r}{q} = \tan (A/2) \tan (B/2).

Thus we wish to prove that

\tan (A/2) \tan (B/2) = \tan (A/2) \tan (AMC/2) \tan (B/2) \tan (CMB/2).

But this follows from the fact that the angles AMC and CBM are supplementary.


Alternate solutions are always welcome. If you have a different, elegant solution to this problem, please add it to this page.

1970 IMO (Problems)
Preceded by
First question
1 2 3 4 5 6 Followed by
Problem 2
Looking for a challenging geometry text? Preparing for MATHCOUNTS or the AMC exams? Check out Art of Problem Solving's Introduction to Geometry by Richard Rusczyk.
© Copyright 2008 AoPS Incorporated. All Rights Reserved. • FoundationPrivacyContact Us