Circles
Taeyoung
April 2024
1 Introduction
1.1 Theorems
Power of a Point. Let A, B,C, D be points on a circle Γ such that the intersection
of lines AB an CD is P. Then PA · PB = PC · PD. √ The quantity PA · PB is called the
Power of P with respect to Γ, and is equal to PO2 − R2 , where O is the centre of
Γ and R is its radius.
The converse is also true, i.e. that if PA · PB = PC · PD for some point P1 , then
ABCD is cyclic.
Example 1. In triangle ABC, D is on AC such that BD bisects ∠ABC. The circum-
circle of ∆BDC meets AB at E, while the circumcircle of ∆ABD meets BC at F.
Prove that AE = CF.
Example 2. In triangle ABC, angle ∠A is the smallest. Points D, E lie on sides
AB, AC such that ∠CBE = ∠DCB = ∠BAC. Prove that the midpoints of AB, AC, BE,
and CD all lie on one circle.
Radical Axis. The radical axis of two circles Γ1 and Γ2 is the set of points which
have the same power with respect to two circles. In particular, if Γ1 and Γ2 intersect
at two points A and B, then the line AB is the radical axis.
Radical Center. Let Γ1 , Γ2 , and Γ3 be 3 circles. Their pairwise radical axes are
concurrent.
The converse is also true. Let ℓ be the radical axis of two circles Γ1 and Γ2 .
Now suppose A, B lie on Γ1 and C, D lie on Γ2 such that AB and CD intersect on ℓ.
Then A, B,C, D lie on a third circle Γ3 .
Example 3. Let P be a point in triangle ABC such that BC is tangent to the circum-
circles of triangles ABP and ACP. Prove that AP bisects segment BC.
1A technicality: P has to be either on both segments AB and CD, or neither. (Why?)
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Example 3.1. Let Γ be the circumcircle of an isosceles triangle ABC with AB = BC.
Let the tangents at A and B to Γ meet at D and let DC meet Γ again at E. Prove that
the line AE bisects segment BD.
Example 4. Let circles ω1 and ω2 intersect at points X and Y . Let ℓ1 be a line
through the center of ω1 intersecting ω2 at points P and Q and let ℓ2 be a line
through the center of ω2 intersecting ω1 at points R and S. Prove that if P, Q, R, and
S lie on a circle then the center of this circle lies on line XY .
Example 5. Let I be the incenter of triangle ABC, and let A1 lie on BC such that
A1 I ⊥ AI. Define B1 and C1 similarly. Show that A1 , B1 , and C1 are collinear.
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2 Problems
”Bada Bing Bada Boom.”
- Blackpink
2.1 Warm Up
1. Let XD be the X-altitude in triangle △XY Z. If H is a point on XD, prove
that H is the orthocenter of △XY Z if and only if Y D · ZD = XD · XH.
2. Let Y T be the altitude and H be the intersection point of the altitudes of tri-
angle XY Z. Point N is symmetric to H with respect to Y Z. The circumcircle
of triangle XT N intersects Y Z at points F and K. Prove that FY = Y K
3. Let ω1 and ω2 be concentric circles, with ω2 in the interior of ω1 . From
a point X on ω1 one draws the tangent XY to ω2 (Y ∈ ω2 ). Let Z be the
second point of intersection of XY and ω1 , and let D be the midpoint of XY .
A line passing through X intersects ω2 at E and F in such a way that the
perpendicular bisectors of DE and ZF intersect at a point M on XY . Find,
with proof, the ratio XM/MZ
2.2 Medium
1. Let G be the centroid of a right-angled triangle XY Z with ∠BCA = 90 Let P
be the point on ray XG such that ∠CPA = ∠CAB, and let Q be the point on
ray Y G such that ∠CQB = ∠ABC. Prove that the circumcircles of triangles
XQG and Y PG meet at a point on side XY .
2. In triangle XY Z, point X1 lies on side Y Z and point Y1 lies on side XZ. Let
R and S be points on segments XX1 and YY1 , respectively, such that RS is
parallel to XY . Let R1 be a point on line RY1 , such that Y1 lies strictly between
R and R1 , and ∠RR1 Z = ∠Y XZ. Similarly, let S1 be the point on line SX1 ,
such that X1 lies strictly between S and S1 , and ∠ZS1 S = ∠ZY X. Prove that
points R, S, R1 , and S1 are concyclic.
3. Let XY Z be a triangle with circumcircle Γ, circumcenter O, and orthocenter
H. Assume that XY ̸= XZ and that ∠X ̸= 90◦ . Let M and N be the midpoints
of sides XY and XZ, respectively, and let E and F be the feet of the altitudes
from Y and Z in △XY Z, respectively. Let P be the intersection of line MN
with the tangent line to Γ at X. Let Q be the intersection point, other than X,
of Γ with the circumcircle of △XEF. Let R be the intersection of lines XQ
and EF. Prove that PR ⊥ OH.
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2.3 Challenging
1. Let XY Z be a triangle with ∠Y ZX = 90◦ , and let D be the foot of the altitude
from Z. Let A be a point in the interior of the segment ZD. Let K be the
point on the segment XA such that Y K = Y Z. Similarly, let L be the point on
the segment YA such that XL = XZ. Let M be the point of intersection of XL
and Y K.
Show that MK = ML.
2. Let D and E be points in the interiors of sides XY and XZ, respectively, of a
triangle XY Z, such that DY = Y Z = ZE. Let the lines ZD and Y E meet at F.
Prove that the incentre I of triangle XY Z, the orthocentre H of triangle DEF
and the midpoint M of the arc Y XZ of the circumcircle of triangle XY Z are
collinear.
3. Let XY Z be a scalene triangle. The incircle of △XY Z is tangent to sides Y Z,
ZX, XY at D, E, F, respectively. Let J be a point on the incircle of △XY Z
such that ∠XJD = 90◦ . If lines DJ and EF intersect at P, prove that XP is
parallel to Y Z.