MathLabs

Problem 3

Let PQRSPQRS be a cyclic quadrilateral such that the lines PQPQ and RSRS are not parallel. Let A\mathcal A be the set of points of tangency of a circle through P,QP,Q and a circle through R,SR,S. Determine A\mathcal A.
Step 2 of 5: Construct the second candidate circle
r2=TP⋅TQ=TR⋅TSr^2=TP\cdot TQ=TR\cdot TS
Detailed analysis

Let Γ\Gamma be the circle with center TT and radius rr, where r2=TP⋅TQ=TR⋅TSr^2=TP\cdot TQ=TR\cdot TS. For every point VV on Γ\Gamma, the power of TT with respect to the circle through P,Q,VP,Q,V equals TV2TV^2, so TVTV is tangent to that circle. The same argument applies to the circle through R,S,VR,S,V.