Power of a point theorem

Revision as of 15:46, 23 April 2024 by Sawyerj09 (talk | contribs) (Tangent Line)

Theorem:

There are three unique cases for this theorem. Each case expresses the relationship between the length of line segments that pass through a common point and touch a circle in at least one point.

Case 1 (Inside the Circle):

If two chords $AB$ and $CD$ intersect at a point $P$ within a circle, then $AP\cdot BP=CP\cdot DP$

Case 2 (Outside the Circle):

Classic Configuration

Given lines $AB$ and $CB$ originate from two unique points on the circumference of a circle ($A$ and $C$), intersect each other at point $B$, outside the circle, and re-intersect the circle at points $F$ and $G$ respectively, then $BF\cdot BA=BG\cdot BC$.

Tangent Line

Given Lines $AB$ and $AC$ with $AC$ tangent to the related circle at $C$, $A$ lies outside the circle, and Line $AB$ intersects the circle between $A$ and $B$ at $D$, $AD\cdot AB=AC^{2}$

Normal Configuration

Tangent Line

Case 3 (On the Border/Useless Case):

    • Still working

Proof

Problems

Introductory (AMC 10, 12)

Intermediate (AIME)

Olympiad (USAJMO, USAMO, IMO)