2025 USAMO Problems/Problem 4

The following problem is from both the 2025 USAMO #4 and 2025 USAJMO #5, so both problems redirect to this page.

Problem

Let $H$ be the orthocenter of acute triangle $ABC$, let $F$ be the foot of the altitude from $C$ to $AB$, and let $P$ be the reflection of $H$ across $BC$. Suppose that the circumcircle of triangle $FAP$ intersects line $BC$ at two distinct points $X$ and $Y$. Prove that $C$ is the midpoint of $XY$.

Solution 1

Let AP intersects BC at D. Extend FC to the point E on the circumcircle $\omega$ of $FAP$. Since $H$ is the orthocenter of $\Delta ABC$, we know that $HD = DP$ or $HP = 2HD$, and $AH \cdot HD = CH \cdot HF$. Next we use the power of H in $\omega$: $AH \cdot HP = CH \cdot HE$. These relations imply that $HE = 2HF$.

Hence $C, D$ are midpoints of $HE, HP$ respectively. By midline theorem, $CD // EP$. Since $AD \perp CD$, we have $AD \perp EP$. This implies that $\angle APE = 90^{\circ}$. Consequently, $AE$ is the diameter of $\omega$. Let $G$ be the midpoint of $AE$ which is also the center of $\omega$. $G,C$ are midpoints of $AE, EH$ respectively. By the midline theorem again, we have $GC//AH$, consequently, $GC \perp BC$. This implies that $GC$ is the perpendicular bisector of the chord $XY$ hence $C$ is the midpoint of $XY$. ~ Dr. Shi davincimath.com

Solution 2

Denote $O_1$ as the center of $(ABC)$, $O_2$ as the center of $FAP$, $K$ as the midpoint of $AF$, $M$ as the midpoint of $AC$, and $N$ as the midpoint of $AP$. It suffices to show that $\angle{O_2CB}=90$.

Claim: $O_1MO_2C$ is cyclic.

Proof: Since $AK=FK$ and $AM=MC$, KM is a midline of $\triangle{AFC}$ and $KM\parallel FC$. $KO_2\parallel FC$ as well since $\angle{AKO_2}=\angle{AFC}=90$, so $M$ lies on $KO_2$. Next, note that $P$ lies on $(ABC)$, so the perpendicular bisector of $AP$ through $N$ passes through $O_1$. In other words, $N, O_1$, and $O_2$ are collinear. Since $NO_2$ and $BC$ are both perpendicular to $AP$, it follows that they are parallel. Since $KO_2\parallel FC$ and $NO_2\parallel BC$, then $\angle KO_2N=\angle{FCB}$. Finally, we have that \[\angle{MO_2O_1}=\angle{KO_2N}=\angle{FCB}=90-B=\angle{MCO_1},\] and thus $O_1MO_2C$ is cyclic. It follows that $\angle O_1O_2C=\angle{O_1MC}=90$, so $\angle{O_2CB}=180-\angle{O_1MC}=90$, as desired.

-mop

Solution 3

Connect $HP$ and have $HP$ intersect $XY$ at $W$. Also extend $FC$ past point $C$ and have it intersect with the circle at point $D$.

Since $P$ is the reflection of $H$ over $BC$, we know that $HP\perp XY$. Since $H$ is the orthocenter, we can draw the altitude and tell that $A$, $H$, and $P$ are collinear. We know $m\angle{AFH} = m\angle{CWH}=90^{\circ}$ and $m\angle{FHA} = m\angle{WHC}$, so $\triangle{AHF} \sim \triangle{CHW}$ by AA, so $m\angle{FAH} = m\angle{WCH}$.

$m\angle{FAP} = \frac{1}{2}m\overarc{FP} = \frac{1}{2}(m\overarc{FX} + m\overarc{XP})$ and $m\angle{FCX} = \frac{1}{2}(m\overarc{FX} + m\overarc{DY})$. From this, we can tell that $m\overarc{XP} = m\overarc{DY}$. Therefore, $m\overarc{XD} = m\overarc{PY}$ and $XD = PY$.

If we connect $HY$, we can tell that that $PY = HY$ due to $P$ being the reflection of $H$ and $WY$ being perpendicular to $HP$, so $XD = HY$. In addition, $m\angle{HYW} = m\angle{PYW} = \frac{1}{2} m\overarc{XP} = \frac{1}{2} m\overarc{DY} = m\angle{YXD}$. Also, $m\angle{HCY} = m\angle{XCD}$ because they are vertical angles.

So, $\triangle{HCY} \cong \triangle{XCD}$ because of SAA. From this we can conclude that $XC = CY$, so $C$ is the midpoint of $XY$.


Solution 4

Let $D$ be the foot of the altitude from $A$ to $BC.$ By Power of a Point, we have \[BF\cdot BA = BX \cdot BY = (BC-CX)(BC+CY) = BC^2 + BC(CY-CX) - CX\cdot CY\] and \[DB\cdot DC = DX\cdot DY = (CX-CD)(CD+CY) = CX\cdot CY - CD(CY-CX) - CD^2.\] Adding, we get \[BF \cdot BA + DB\cdot DC = BC^2-DC^2 + (BC-CD)(CY-CX).\] It is well known that $P\in (ABC).$ Then, let $\angle{BAP} = \angle{BCP} = \angle{BCH} = \theta.$ We have \[BF\cdot BA + DB\cdot DC = (BC\sin\theta)\cdot BA + DB\cdot DC = BC\cdot (BA \sin\theta) + DB\cdot DC = DB\cdot (BC+DC) = (BC-DC)(BC+DC) = BC^2-DC^2.\] Thus, $(BC-CD)(CY-CX)=0,$ and since $BC\neq CD$ we have $CY=CX.$ Hence, $C$ is the midpoint of $XY.$ ~TThB0501

See Also

2025 USAMO (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 3
Followed by
Problem 5
1 2 3 4 5 6
All USAMO Problems and Solutions
2025 USAJMO (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 4
Followed by
Problem 6
1 2 3 4 5 6
All USAJMO Problems and Solutions

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