Christopher Tran Projective & Inversive Geometry (S) 28 Nov

-1 Foreword
ˆ This lecture is the geometry equivalent of Sequences & Inequalities (S) = very fast.

ˆ Some notations which may be unfamiliar to students are as follows: [Statements will implicitly be with reference to
an arbitrary △ABC, unless otherwise stipulated.]

– (ABC) denotes the circumcircle of △ABC, (AB) denotes the circle with diameter AB
– For lines/conics λ, µ we denote λ ∩ µ as the set of their intersection points, or the sole intersection point
−−→ −−→
– ∡ABC denotes the directed angle modulo π by which you have to rotate the ray BA to get BC
– For a point P and circle ω, Pow(P, ω) is the power of P with respect to ω (which can be negative)
– If not stated, G (not C), H, O, I are the centroid, orthocenter, circumcenter, incenter of △ABC.
ˆ Assumed knowledge: PST Chapter 5/EGMO Chapters 1-4.

ˆ Intended difficulty: exercises 3-7, problems 5-12

0 Introduction (tips, warnings)

ˆ Draw a big diagram. Draw smaller diagrams, and more diagrams afterwards. [Parts!]

ˆ Identify the “divergent” points. Think about how “realistic” certain things are.

ˆ Identify what sorts of structures might underlie the set up.

ˆ Advanced techniques. Be careful. Don’t ruin your intution. Core skills still key.

ˆ Requires new formation of intuition. Will take a while. Don’t skimp on understanding.

1 Inversion
1.1 Definitions and key properties
ˆ Point at infinity: a point P∞ which every line passes through, but no circles. Cline: a circle or a line.

ˆ An inversion about a circle ω with center O and radius r is a transformation of R2 ∪ {P∞ } that swaps O and P∞ ,
−−→
and for any other P , P ↔ P ′ , where P ′ ∈ OP , OP · OP ′ = r2 . To invert a set S is S ↔ {P ′ : P ∈ S}.

1. Fixed points are those on ω. Also, P inside ω ⇐⇒ P ′ outside ω.

−
2. △OAB ∼ △OB ′ A′ , and clines invert to clines. In particular: lines through O invert to themselves, circles not
through O invert to circles not through O, and lines not through O invert to circles through O; (⊙(A, O))′ ⊥ AO.

Exercise 1.1. Prove every part of property 2.

1.2 Places to invert

√ √
1. Point on lots of circles 3. bc, AH · AD 5. Arc midpoint
2. Orthogonal circles 4. Incircle ω 6. Orthocenter
√
Exercise 1.2. Figure out where everything goes in AH · AD and ω-inversion.
√
Exercise 1.3. Prove that (I, IA ), (AH, AO), ((BHC), (BOC)) swap in bc.
Example 1.4. Let AC ⊥ BD meet at E. Prove that reflections of E in AB, BC, CD, DA concyclic.

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Christopher Tran Projective & Inversive Geometry (S) 28 Nov

Exercise 1.5. Let AB be a chord of Ω, and let ω be tangent to AB at K and internally tangent to Ω at T . Prove T K
passes through midpoint M of arc AB not containing T , and M A2 = M B 2 = M K · M T .
Exercise 1.6. Prove that midpoint of arc BAC, I and A-mixtilinear intouch point are collinear.
−→
Exercise 1.7. Let △DEF be intouch, let P be the foot from D to EF , let IP meet (ABC) at R. Show R lies on (AEF ).
Exercise 1.8. Show RD ∩ AI ∈ (ABC) in the notation of Exercise 1.7. (R is the “Sharky-Devil point”.)

1.3 Problems
1. Let B1 , C1 be feet from B, C. Let bisectors of ∠BB1 C, ∠CC1 B meet BC at D, E and each other at X. Show that
(BEX), (CDX) meet again on AX.
2. Internal bisector of ∠BAC meets BC, (ABC) at D, E; (DE) meets (ABC) at F . Prove AF is a symmedian.
3. Let ADBE be inscribed in (ABC) with diagonals meeting at C; let γ = (BOD), O the midpoint of AB; let OF be
−−→
a diameter of γ and let F C ∩ γ = G ̸= F . Show AOGE is cyclic.
4. Let D vary on the arc AB not containing C, and let E ∈ BC, ∠ADI = ∠IEC. Prove that DE has a fixed point.
−−→ −−→
5. Let M and N be the midpoints of AB, AC. M H, N H meet (ABC) at P , Q. M N ∩ P Q = R. Show OA ⊥ RA.
6. Let F be the foot from A, let M be the midpoint of BC, let Q, K on (ABC) with ∠HQA = ∠HKQ = 90◦ . Prove
(KQH) and (F KM ) tangent.
7. Let P , Q with AP + BC = BP + CA = CP + AB, AQ − BC = BQ − CA = CQ − AB. Show I ∈ P Q.
′
8. Let IB , IC be the B-, C-excenters; reflect in AC, AB to IB ′
, IC′ . Let reflections of BIB , CIC′ in BI, CI meet at P .
◦
Show P ∈ OI, and if XY ∋ P tangent to incircle, X, Y ∈ (ABC), prove ∠XIY = 120 .
9. Let M ∈ (ABC), let X1 , X2 ∈ BC, M X1 , M X2 tangent to incircle. Prove (M X1 X2 ) ∩ (ABC) is fixed point.

2 Projective
2.1 Definitions and key properties
ˆ Points at infinity: now there’s one for every set of parallel lines instead. RP2 is R2 plus this line at infinity.
ˆ Cross-ratio: (A, B; X, Y ) = XA
XB ÷ YA
YB for collinear (lengths directed) or concyclic (negative when AB, XY meet).
ˆ Let A, B, X, Y ∈ C1 and C2 be clines, and let P A, P B, P X, P Y meet C2 at A′ , B ′ , X ′ , Y ′ . Then (A, B; X, Y ) =
(A′ , B ′ ; X ′ , Y ′ ): this is a perspectivity at P . If Ci is a circle, P ∈ Ci must hold for this to work.
ˆ Harmonic bundle: whenever (A, B; X, Y ) = −1. We’ll see why this is useful later.
ˆ Poles and polars: polar of P in ω is line through P ′ perpendicular to OP , and pole is reverse relationship. If tangents
P X, P Y to ω, then XY is polar of P . La Hire’s: X on polar of Y iff Y on polar of X, and dual statements. Brokard’s
theorem: cyclic ABCD, AB ∩ CD, BC ∩ DA, AC ∩ BD form “self-polar” triangle in circumcircle.

2.2 Ways to get harmonic bundles

ˆ (A, B; M, ∞AB ) where M midpoint of AB. In general, invert P ∈ AB in (AB) to P ′ ; then (A, B; P, P ′ ) = −1.
ˆ Chord AB of ω; P ∈ AB outside AB, tangents P X, P Y to ω. (A, B; X, Y ) = −1 = (A, B; AB ∩ XY, P ).
ˆ Ceva-Menelaus: if AD, BE, CF are cevians then (EF ∩ BC, D; B, C) = −1).
ˆ Apollonian circles: X, Y , B collinear, C not on line. Any two of (A, B; X, Y ) = −1, XC ⊥ CY , CY bisects
 A, CA
∠ACB imply third. C : CB = k is (XY ) as a result.
ˆ Direct length calculations. The ratio lemma (and trig) goes a long way...

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Christopher Tran Projective & Inversive Geometry (S) 28 Nov

Exercise 2.1. Prove the statements in 2.2.

Exercise 2.2. M midpoint BC. ⊙(M, A) meets AB, AC at P , Q; tangents at P , Q meet in D. Show ⊥BC bisects AD.
Exercise 2.3. △DEF orthic; P , Q ∈ EF , AP , HQ ⊥ EF . DP ∩ QH = R. Find HQ/HR.
Exercise 2.4. ABCDE cyclic, AC ∋ P pole of BD, DE ∥ AC. Prove BE bisects AC.

2.3 Problems
1. Let P , Q on BC with ∠P AB = ∠BCA, ∠CAQ = ∠ABC. Reflect A in P , Q to M , N . Show BM ∩ CN ∈ (ABC).
2. ABCD cyclic, M midpoint CD, N on (ABM ) with (A, B; N, M ) = −1. Prove N , AC ∩ BD, BC ∩ DA collinear.
3. Let ABCD inscribed in ω, AC ∋ P pole of BD. Tangent at C meets P D, AD at Q, R. Show AQ ∩ BR ∈ ω.
4. Let D be A-intouch, EIF ⊥ AI (E, F on sides.) (AEF )∩(ABC) = X, M midpoint BC. Show XD∩AM ∈ (ABC).
5. Let AI ∩ (ABC) = D. Let E lie on arc BDC and F on BC, ∠BAF = ∠CAE < 21 ∠BAC. Let G be midpoint IF .
Show DG ∩ EI ∈ (ABC).
6. Let O be circumcenter of (ABCD). Let adjacent angle bisectors (A- and B-, B- and C-, ...) meet at W , X, Y , Z,
and P = AC ∩ BD. Show that O lies on (W XY Z) iff P does.

3 Bonus: projective moving points

3.1 The method
ˆ A projective map between clines/pencils (set of lines through a point) preserves the cross-ratio. Examples: intersect
a pencil with a cline, second intersection with a conic, perspectivity, translation, rotation. Weird example: inversion.
ˆ The cross-ratio is bijective on a cline, fixing three points. Thus a projective map is determined by three outputs.
ˆ It follows that two projective maps are the same if they agree at three points. If we want to prove a point X has two
properties, it suffices to define X through projective maps giving it those two properties and show these coincide.

3.2 Problems
1. Let M , N be midpoints AB, AC. Let X lie on tangent at A to (ABC). Let ωB be circle through M , B tangent to
M X, ωC through N , C tangent to N X. Show ωB and ωC meet on BC.
2. Problems 2.3.5 and 1.3.4
3. Let AB = AC, M midpoint BC. P A ∥ BC, X, Y on P B, P C with B ∈ P X, C ∈ P Y and ∠P XM = ∠P Y M .
Show AP XY is cyclic.
4. Let D be A-intouch. P ∈ ID, and W is antipode of P in (P BC). F ∈ AW , P F ∥ AI. Prove that F lies on a fixed
line (and identify it).

4 Things you might want to look up that I will not be covering

1. Projective transformations, also known as homographies.
2. Untethered moving points (another name for projective moving points is “tethered moving points”). I suggest
Animation by Zack Chroman, Gopal Goel and Anant Mudgal.
3. Desargues’ Involution Theorem, and its dual. MarkBcc168’s handout is likely sufficient.
4. Generally, an investigation into the significance of circles in comparison to conics.
5. Non-olympiad perspectives on projective geometry, such as in the classification of surfaces, or finite projective planes
and their algebraic and combinatorial properties. Look up 2020 SMMC B4 if you’re interested, as an example.

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Christopher Tran Projective & Inversive Geometry (S) 28 Nov

5 Help Chris, I don’t go outside! What am I to do now?

I can’t exactly send you outside right now. But I suggest you touch some grass during free time after this lecture. Until
then, here are some more problems.

5.1 Some problems I have authored over the years

1. In triangle △ABC with incenter I let the A-mixtilinear incircle of △ABC meet AC, AB and the circumcircle of
△ABC at E, F , T and have center R. Let the midpoint of BC be M . If AT meets EF at X and XR meets T I at
S show ∠BAM = ∠SAC.
2. Let △ABC have orthocenter H, circumcenter O and circumcircle Γ. Let M be the midpoint of BC, and let AM
meet Γ at K ̸= A. Let BH, CH meet AM at X, Y and Γ at HB ̸= B, HC ̸= C. If BY , CX meet Γ at B1 ̸= B,
C1 ̸= C, show that B1 HB , C1 HC and OK concur or are pairwise parallel.

3. (New addition!) Given a point P inside acute scalene △ABC with circumcenter O, let perpendicular from P to
AP meet AB, AC at U , V and let BP , CP meet (ABC) again at E, F . Let EV , U F meet at R and cyclically
define S, T . We denote by f (P ) the concurrence of AR, BS, CT . Show that there exists a point Q dependent only
on △ABC such that if P , f (P ), O are collinear, then P , P ′ , Q are collinear, where P ′ is the isogonal conjugate of
P in △ABC.

4. In triangle ABC, points Y , Z lie on sides AC, AB respectively, such that BY is perpendicular to AC and CZ is
perpendicular to AB. Let its Euler line meet its circumcircle at P1 , P2 . For i ∈ {1, 2}, let lines BPi , CPi meet lines
AC, AB respectively at points Ei , Fi and let lines Ei FI and BC meet at point Di . Further let line ADi meet lines
BEi , CFi at Yi , Zi , and let lines Y Yi , ZZi meet at Pi′ .
Prove that lines P1 P1′ and P2 P2′ and the Simson lines of P1 , P2 with respect to △ABC together form a rectangle.
5. Let H be the orthocenter of acute scalene triangle △ABC with circumcircle Γ, and let D, E, F be the feet of the
altitudes from A, B, C. Let M be the midpoint of BC and let the circle γ with diameter AH meet Γ at Q. Suppose
M E, M F meet the line through A parallel to BC at E ′ , F ′ and QE ′ , QF ′ meet BC at S, T , and further suppose
that AM meets Γ again at K, and the circumcircle of △ADK meets γ again at W . Show that SE, T F and the
tangents to γ at Q, W concur.
6. Let n, k be positive integers with n ≥ 4k ≥ 8. Suppose there exists a point K and cyclic convex polygon P1 P2 . . . Pn
such that for each i, the Pi -symmedian in △Pi−1 Pi Pi+1 passes through K (where indices are taken modulo n). If
Tik = Pi Pi+k ∩ Pi+1 Pi+k+1 for each i, show that there exists a conic passing through T1k , T2k , . . . , Tnk .

5.2 Some random geometry problems

1. Let △ABC be acute with circumcenter O, and let T be foot from A to BC. Let P ∈ AT . Suppose that perpendiculars
from P to P C, P B meet AB, AC at B ′ , C ′ . Prove that (P BB ′ ), (P CC ′ ), AO concur.
2. Let △ABC be right at B and AB < BC. Let K be foot from B to AC. Let M , N be midpoints of AB, AC. Let
S, T on minor arc AB of (ABC) and KM respectively with AS ∥ BT . Let (AKT ) meet N T again at U . Prove
that (AU S) and (U N K) are tangent.

3. Let P be a point strictly inside acute scalene △ABC with ∠P BA = ∠ACP . Let D, E be points with ∠DBA =
∠BCP , ∠ECA = ∠CBP and BD = CE, where BD and CE do not intersect the interior of △ABC. Let AD meet
BP at X, AE and CP meet at Y . Let Z ∈ AP with ∠BZX = ∠Y ZC. Show that ∠XZC + ∠CBD = 180◦ .
4. Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral such that AB × CD = BC × AD. Suppose P and Q are points lying inside
ABCD such that ∠BAC = ∠QAD, ∠ABP = ∠DBC, ∠BCA = ∠QCD and ∠ADP = ∠BDC. Show that the
midpoints of P Q, AC and BD are collinear.

5. Let ABC be an acute-angled scalene triangle with incircle ω and circumcircle Γ. Suppose ω touches line BC at D
and the tangent to Γ at A meets line BC at T . Two circles passing through A and T tangent to ω meet line AD
again at X and Y . Prove that BXCY is a trapezium.