Difference between revisions of "2006 USAMO Problems/Problem 6"

Line 24: Line 24:
  
 
[[Category:Olympiad Geometry Problems]]
 
[[Category:Olympiad Geometry Problems]]
 +
{{MAA Notice}}

Revision as of 13:42, 4 July 2013

Problem

Let $ABCD$ be a quadrilateral, and let $E$ and $F$ be points on sides $AD$ and $BC$, respectively, such that $AE/ED = BF/FC$. Ray $FE$ meets rays $BA$ and $CD$ at $S$ and $T$ respectively. Prove that the circumcircles of triangles $SAE, SBF, TCF,$ and $TDE$ pass through a common point.

Solution

Let the intersection of the circumcircles of $SAE$ and $SBF$ be $X$, and let the intersection of the circumcircles of $TCF$ and $TDE$ be $Y$.

$BXF=BSF=AXE$ because $BSF$ tends both arcs $AE$ and $BF$. $BFX=XSB=XEA$ because $XSB$ tends both arcs $XA$ and $XB$. Thus, $XAE~XBF$ by AA similarity, and $X$ is the center of spiral similarity for $A,E,B,$ and $F$. $FYC=FTC=EYD$ because $FTC$ tends both arcs $ED$ and $FC$. $FCY=FTY=EDY$ because $FTY$ tends both arcs $YF$ and $YE$. Thus, $YED~YFC$ by AA similarity, and $Y$ is the center of spiral similarity for $E,D,F,$ and $C$.

From the similarity, we have that $XE/XF=AE/BF$. But we are given $ED/AE=CF/BF$, so multiplying the 2 equations together gets us $ED/FC=XE/XF$. $DEX,CFX$ are the supplements of $AEX, BFX$, which are congruent, so $DEX=CFX$, and so $XED~XFC$ by SAS similarity, and so $X$ is also the center of spiral similarity for $E,D,F,$ and $C$. Thus, $X$ and $Y$ are the same point, which all the circumcircles pass through, and so the statement is true.


See Also

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png