2010 USAMO Problems/Problem 1

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Problem

Let $AXYZB$ be a convex pentagon inscribed in a semicircle of diameter $AB$. Denote by $P, Q, R, S$ the feet of the perpendiculars from $Y$ onto lines $AX, BX, AZ, BZ$, respectively. Prove that the acute angle formed by lines $PQ$ and $RS$ is half the size of $\angle XOZ$, where $O$ is the midpoint of segment $AB$.

Solution

Let $\alpha = \angle BAZ$, $\beta = \angle ABX$. Since $XY$ is a chord of the circle with diameter $AB$, $\angle XAY = \angle XBY = \gamma$. From the chord $YZ$, we conclude $\angle YAZ = \angle YBZ = \delta$.

[asy] import olympiad;  // Scale unitsize(1inch); real r = 1.75;  // Semi-circle: centre O, radius r, diameter A--B. pair O = (0,0); dot(O); label("$O$", O, plain.S); pair A = r * plain.W; dot(A); label("$A$", A, unit(A)); pair B = r * plain.E; dot(B); label("$B$", B, unit(B)); draw(arc(O, r, 0, 180)--cycle);  // points X, Y, Z real alpha = 22.5; real beta  = 15; real delta = 30; pair X = r * dir(180 - 2*beta);      dot(X); label("$X$", X, unit(X)); pair Y = r * dir(2*(alpha + delta)); dot(Y); label("$Y$", Y, unit(Y)); pair Z = r * dir(2*alpha);           dot(Z); label("$Z$", Z, unit(Z));  // Feet of perpendiculars from Y pair P = foot(Y, A, X); dot(P); label("$P$", P, unit(P-Y)); dot(P); pair Q = foot(Y, B, X); dot(P); label("$Q$", Q, unit(A-Q)); dot(Q); pair R = foot(Y, B, Z); dot(R); label("$S$", R, unit(R-Y)); dot(R); pair S = foot(Y, A, Z); dot(S); label("$R$", S, unit(B-S)); dot(S); pair T = foot(Y, A, B); dot(T); label("$T$", T, unit(T-Y)); dot(T);  // Segments draw(B--X); draw(B--Y); draw(B--R); draw(A--Z); draw(A--Y); draw(A--P); draw(Y--P); draw(Y--Q); draw(Y--R); draw(Y--S); draw(R--T); draw(P--T);  // Right angles draw(rightanglemark(A, X, B, 3)); draw(rightanglemark(A, Y, B, 3)); draw(rightanglemark(A, Z, B, 3)); draw(rightanglemark(A, P, Y, 3)); draw(rightanglemark(Y, R, B, 3)); draw(rightanglemark(Y, S, A, 3)); draw(rightanglemark(B, Q, Y, 3));  // Acute angles import markers; void langle(pair A, pair B, pair C, string l="", real r=40, int n=1, int nm = 0) {   string sl = "$\scriptstyle{" + l + "}$";   marker m = (nm > 0) ? marker(markinterval(stickframe(n=nm, 2mm), true)) : nomarker;   markangle(Label(sl), radius=r, n=n, A, B, C, m); } langle(B, A, Z, "\alpha" ); langle(X, B, A, "\beta", n=2); langle(Y, A, X, "\gamma", nm=1); langle(Y, B, X, "\gamma", nm=1); langle(Z, A, Y, "\delta", nm=2); langle(Z, B, Y, "\delta", nm=2); langle(R, S, Y, "\alpha+\delta", r=23); langle(Y, Q, P, "\beta+\gamma", r=23); langle(R, T, P, "\chi", r=15); [/asy]

Triangles $BQY$ and $APY$ are both right-triangles, and share the angle $\gamma$, therefore they are similar, and so the ratio $PY : YQ = AY : YB$. Now by Thales' theorem the angles $\angle AXB = \angle AYB = \angle AZB$ are all right-angles. Also, $\angle PYQ$, being the fourth angle in a quadrilateral with 3 right-angles is again a right-angle. Therefore $\triangle PYQ \sim \triangle AYB$ and $\angle YQP = \angle YBA = \gamma + \beta$. Similarly, $RY : YS = AY : YB$, and so $\angle YRS = \angle YAB = \alpha + \delta$.

Now $RY$ is perpendicular to $AZ$ so the direction $RY$ is $\alpha$ counterclockwise from the vertical, and since $\angle YRS = \alpha + \delta$ we see that $SR$ is $\delta$ clockwise from the vertical. (Draw an actual vertical line segment if necessary.)

Similarly, $QY$ is perpendicular to $BX$ so the direction $QY$ is $\beta$ clockwise from the vertical, and since $\angle YQP$ is $\gamma + \beta$ we see that $QY$ is $\gamma$ counterclockwise from the vertical.

Therefore the lines $PQ$ and $RS$ intersect at an angle $\chi = \gamma + \delta$. Now by the central angle theorem $2\gamma = \angle XOY$ and $2\delta = \angle YOZ$, and so $2(\gamma + \delta) = \angle XOZ$, and we are done.

Note that $RTQY$ is a quadrilateral whose angles sum to 360°; can you find a faster approach using this fact?

Footnote

We can prove a bit more. Namely, the extensions of the segments $RS$ and $PQ$ meet at a point on the diameter $AB$ that is vertically below the point $Y$.

Since $YS = AY \sin(\delta)$ and is inclined $\alpha$ counterclockwise from the vertical, the point $S$ is $AY \sin(\delta) \sin(\alpha)$ horizontally to the right of $Y$.

Now $AS = AY \cos(\delta)$, so $S$ is $AS \sin(\alpha) = AY \cos(\delta)\sin(\alpha)$ vertically above the diameter $AB$. Also, the segment $SR$ is inclined $\delta$ clockwise from the vertical, so if we extend it down from $S$ towards the diameter $AB$ it will meet the diameter at a point which is $AY \cos(\delta)\sin(\alpha)\tan(\delta) = AY \sin(\delta)\sin(\alpha)$ horizontally to the left of $S$. This places the intersection point of $RS$ and $AB$ vertically below $Y$.

Similarly, and by symmetry the intersection point of $PQ$ and $AB$ is directly below $Y$ on $AB$, so the lines through $PQ$ and $RS$ meet at a point $T$ on the diameter that is vertically below $Y$.

Footnote to the Footnote

The Footnote's claim is more easily proved as follows.

Note that because $\angle{QPY}$ and $\angle{YAB}$ are both complementary to $\beta + \gamma$, they must be equal. Now, let $PQ$ intersect diameter $AB$ at $T'$. Then $PYT'A$ is cyclic and so $\angle{YT'A} = 180^\circ - \angle{APY} = 90^\circ$. Hence $T'YSB$ is cyclic as well, and so we deduce that $\angle{YST'} = \angle{YBT'} = 90^\circ - \alpha - \delta = \angle{YSR}.$ Hence $S, R, T'$ are collinear and so $T = T'$. This proves the Footnote.

Footnote to the Footnote to the Footnote

The Footnote's claim can be proved even more easily as follows.

Drop an altitude from $Y$ to $AB$ at point $T$. Notice that $P, Q, T$ are collinear because they form the Simson line of $\triangle AXB$ from $Y$. Also notice that $P, Q, T$ are collinear because they form the Simson line of $\triangle AZB$ from $Y$. Since $T$ is at the diameter $AB$, lines $PQ$ and $SR$ must intersect at the diameter.

Another footnote

There is another, more simpler solution using Simson lines. Can you find it?

See Also

2010 USAMO (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
First problem
Followed by
Problem 2
1 2 3 4 5 6
All USAMO Problems and Solutions
2010 USAJMO (ProblemsResources)
Preceded by
Problem 2
Followed by
Problem 4
1 2 3 4 5 6
All USAJMO Problems and Solutions

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