# 1959 IMO Problems/Problem 5

## Problem

An arbitrary point $M$ is selected in the interior of the segment $AB$. The squares $AMCD$ and $MBEF$ are constructed on the same side of $AB$, with the segments $AM$ and $MB$ as their respective bases. The circles about these squares, with respective centers $P$ and $Q$, intersect at $M$ and also at another point $N$. Let $N'$ denote the point of intersection of the straight lines $AF$ and $BC$.

(a) Prove that the points $N$ and $N'$ coincide.

(b) Prove that the straight lines $MN$ pass through a fixed point $S$ independent of the choice of $M$.

(c) Find the locus of the midpoints of the segments $PQ$ as $M$ varies between $A$ and $B$.

## Solution

### Part A

Since the triangles $AFM, CBM$ are congruent, the angles $AFM, CBM$ are congruent; hence $AN'B$ is a right angle. Therefore $N'$ must lie on the circumcircles of both quadrilaterals; hence it is the same point as $N$.

### Part B

We observe that $\frac{AM}{MB} = \frac{CM}{MB} = \frac{AN}{NB}$ since the triangles $ABN, BCM$ are similar. Then $NM$ bisects $ANB$.

We now consider the circle with diameter $AB$. Since $ANB$ is a right angle, $N$ lies on the circle, and since $MN$ bisects $ANB$, the arcs it intercepts are congruent, i.e., it passes through the bisector of arc $AB$ (going counterclockwise), which is a constant point.

### Part C

Denote the midpoint of $PQ$ as $R$. It is clear that $R$'s distance from $AB$ is the average of the distances of $P$ and $Q$ from $AB$, i.e., half the length of $AB$, which is a constant. Therefore the locus in question is a line segment.