DIMO 2022 P6
55 MOHS
Ryan (Yanqing) Yang
October 2024
Problem
In triangle △ABC, M is the midpoint of arc BAC, I is the incenter and IA is the
A-excenter. Let AC, AB, M I cut BI, CI, (ABC) in E, F, P respectively and let S be the
intersection of the circumcircles of triangles AEF and ABC. If X, Y are the reflections
of I across IA E, IA F respectively, then prove that (BY F ), (CXE), (P XY ) and P S are
concurrent.
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Ryan (Yanqing) Yang — October 2024 DIMO 2022 P6
Solution
We begin by introducing several definitions. The A-mixtilinear incircle touchpoints are
E1 and F1 , respectively lying on AC and AB. IA , IB , and IC are the A, B, and C
excenters. Let Z be the intersection of (BP E) and (BY F ).
We require two central claims in this proof: that Z lies on (BY F ), (P XY ), (CXE),
(BP E), (CP F ), and that S is on the radical axis of (BP E) and (CP F ).
Showing Z lies on the circles.
M
S A
E
F
E1
I
X
F1
Y
B C
IA
We require some preliminary results first:
Claim (Characterization of (BY F ) and (CXE)). BY F IA is cyclic, as well as CXEIA .
Proof. We shall only show the result for BY F IA , as the problem is symmetric in the
labelling of B, C. Note that
∡A ∡C ∡B
∡F Y IA = −∡F IIA = ∡F IA = + = 90◦ − = ∡F BIA
2 2 2
Now recall that E1 F1 ⊥ AI, and P is known to be the A-mixtilinear incircle touchpoint.
Further, it is well-known BP IF1 and CP IE1 are cyclic, say by
∡BP I = ∡BP M = ∡BCM = ∡M BC = ∡M AC = ∡F1 E1 A = ∡AF1 E1
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Ryan (Yanqing) Yang — October 2024 DIMO 2022 P6
and equivalent variations, due to AI ⊥ AM and AI ⊥ E1 F1 . In addition, the circles are
respectively tangent to CI and BI from Alternate Segment Theorem as:
∡B
∡IP B = ∡IF1 A = 90◦ − = ∡F IB.
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Claim. BP E1 E and CP F1 F are cyclic.
Proof. From before, we have that
∡E1 P B = ∡IP B + ∡E1 P I = ∡F IB + ∡E1 CI = ∡CIE + ∡E1 CI = ∡AEB
due to Bowtie with IP CE1 cyclic.
Claim. P BY I and P IXC are cyclic.
Proof. Let ∡BIA F = α, ∡Y IF = β. Note that ∡F IA I = ∡C
2 − α. Thus by exterior
angle formula,
B ∡C ∡A
∡IF IA = 90◦ − − +α= +α
2 2 2
Thus as Y I ⊥ IA F , ∡A ◦
2 + α + β = 90 . Now,
∡A
∡IY B = ∡F Y B − ∡F Y I = 180◦ − ∡BIA F − ∡Y IF = 90◦ +
2
Yet ∡IF1 B = 90◦ + ∡A
2 too. Thus by Bowtie, P BY I is cyclic.
An analogous result holds for P IXC.
√
Perform a ac inversion at B.
P′
IB
A MX ′E1′
IC
E′
F E
I
Z′
B C F′ F1′
IA
Y′
Clearly,
∡BF1′ IB = ∡BIF1 = ∡BCI
so F1′ IB ∥ CI, yet ∡BCF = ∡BF ′ A so F ′ A ∥ CI too. Yet P ′ AF ′ F1′ is cyclic, so the
opposite parallel lines F1′ IB and AF ′ imply it is an isosceles trapezium.
Further, BAIB F ′ is trivially cyclic, so by Fact 5, AIB = IB F ′ . This implies by
symmetry, IB is the midpoint of P ′ F1′ . Furthermore, since we had Z = (BP E) ∩ (BY F ),
Z ′ = P ′E′ ∩ Y ′F ′.
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Ryan (Yanqing) Yang — October 2024 DIMO 2022 P6
Claim (Reformulating Y ′ ). The midpoint of IB Y ′ is F1′ .
Proof. By the obvious homothety at IC since IC F ′ Y ′ collinear from BIB F Y cyclic, we
just want IC F1′ bisecting AF ′ .
Let P∞ be the point at infinity on CI and AIC ∩ BC = T . Then
I P
(A, F ′ ; P∞ , IC F1′ ∩ AF ′ ) =
C
(T, F ′ ; IC P∞ ∩ BC, F1′ ) =
∞
(T, A; IC , IB ) = −1
As (IB CIC ) is the C-Apollonian circle of △T AC.
Now, note that
∡BIB A = ∡BF ′ A = ∡IB P ′ A
So BIB is tangent to (P ′ AIB ). Yet by Fact 5, EIB = EA, so EA is also tangent to
(P ′ AIB ).
Claim. Z lies on (CP F1 ).
Proof. We want Z ′ to be on (AP ′ F1′ ). Reframe the problem in terms of isosceles trapezium
P ′ AF ′ F1′ .
P1 F′ A
N1
E′
Z′
Y′ F1′ IB P′
IB is the midpoint of F1′ P ′ . Y ′ is the reflection of IB over F1′ . Let N be the midpoint of
AIB . Let P ′ N intersect (F ′ AP ′ ) at N1 , AF ′ at P1
Redefine Z ′ as the intersection of Y ′ F ′ with (F ′ AP ′ ). We shall show Z ′ is the
P -symmedian in △P ′ AIB (Which is well-known to pass through E ′ ). In fact, as
′
∡F1′ P ′ Z ′ = ∡F1′ F ′ Z ′ while ∡N1 P ′ A = ∡N1 F1′ A, we only need to prove that Z ′ N1 ∥ AF1′ .
Note that as the midpoint of AIB is N , AP1 IB P ′ is a parallelogram. Consequently,
AP1 = IB P ′ = F1′ IB = Y ′ F1′
Thus P1 Y ′ F1′ A is a parallelogram as well. Yet by Pascal on AF1′ P ′ N1 Z ′ F ′ , P1 , we
conclude Y and N1 Z1 ∩ AF1′ are collinear. Yet AF1′ is parallel to P1 Y ′ , thus N1 Z ′ must
be parallel to AF1′ , as desired.
Claim. Z lies on (CIA E).
Proof. This is equivalent to Z ′ lying on (AIB E ′ ).
∡E ′ AIB = ∡AIB E ′ = ∡AF ′ B = ∡P ′ F1′ B = ∡P ′ Z ′ IC
By Fact 5, and cyclics.
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Ryan (Yanqing) Yang — October 2024 DIMO 2022 P6
Thus we have shown that Z lies on all of (CIA XE), (BIA Y F ), (BP E) and (CP F ).
Claim. Z lies on (P XY ).
Proof. This is equivalent to Z ′ lying on (P ′ X ′ Y ′ ). We have proven P IE1 XC is cyclic,
thus P ′ IB E1′ X ′ A is cyclic. Note that IC AX ′ E ′ Z ′ is cyclic from IA CXEZ cyclic. Thus
Pivot Theorem on △IC Y ′ IB finishes.
Consequently, we have shown that Z lies on (CXE), (BY F ), (BP E), (CP F ) and
(P XY ).
It suffices to show Z lies on P S.
A
S
E
F
E1
I
F1
B Q D C
Showing Z lies on P S. Let Q be the intersection of P S and BC, and D the A-extouch
point. We wish to show that Q has equal power to (BP E1 E) and (CP F1 F ), as then
P, S, Q, Z would be collinear.
Let f (•) = Pow(BP E) (•) − Pow(CP F ) (•). We wish to show f (Q) = 0. It is well-known
f is a linear function, thus
BQ CQ
f (Q) = f (C) + f (B)
BC BC
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Ryan (Yanqing) Yang — October 2024 DIMO 2022 P6
Now,
BQ CQ 1
f (C) + f (B) = (BQf (C) + CQf (B))
BC BC BC
1
= (BQ(CE1 · CE) − CQ(BF1 · BF ))
BC
1 BQ
= (CE1 · CE) − BF1 · BF
BC · CQ CQ
By Ratio Lemma,
BQ SB sin ∠BSP
= ×
CQ SC sin ∠P SC
Yet SB BF
SC = CE due to the spiral similarity at S taking BF to CE.
Meanwhile,
sin ∠BSP sin ∠BAP sin ∠CAD
= =
sin ∠P SC sin ∠P AC sin ∠DAB
Due to the well known fact that AP and AD are isogonal (say by force overlaid inversion
swapping mixtilinear incircle and excircle).
Denote AB, AC, BC as c, b, a as normal and s the semiperimeter. By Ratio Lemma,
sin ∠CAD b s−b
× =
sin ∠DAB c s−c
This means that
BQ BF c(s − b)
= ×
CQ CE b(s − c)
Thus,
1 BF · c(s − b)
f (Q) = (CE1 · CE) − BF1 · BF
BC · CQ CE · b(s − c)
BF c(s − b)
= × CE1 − BF1
BC · CQ b(s − c)
Let AE1 = AF1 = d. Then,
BF 1
f (Q) = × (c(s − b)(b − d) − b(s − c)(c − d))
BC · CQ b(s − c)
BF 1
csb − csd − cb2 + cbd − bsc + bsd + bc2 − bcd
= ×
BC · CQ b(s − c)
BF 1
bsd − csd + bc2 − cb2
= ×
BC · CQ b(s − c)
BF b−c
= × (sd − bc)
BC · CQ b(s − c)
Claim. sd = bc
√
Proof. bc invert at A. Clearly, E1 , F1 are sent to the tangency points of the A-excircle
with AB, AC. This distance is well-known to be s, thus by the definition of inversion,
sd = bc, as desired.
This means f (Q) = stuff × 0 = 0, as desired.
Consequently, Z indeed lies on P S. This means that (BY F ), (CXE), (P XY ) and
P S are concurrent at Z, so the problem is solved.