MathLabs

Problem 3

Let ABCDABCD be a parallelogram. Let WW, XX, YY, and ZZ be points on sides ABAB, BCBC, CDCD, and DADA, respectively, such that the incenters of triangles AWZAWZ, BXWBXW, CYXCYX, and DZYDZY form a parallelogram. Prove that WXYZWXYZ is a parallelogram.
Step 3 of 3: Cyclic inequality contradiction forces AZ=CX and AW=CY
AZ>CX ⟹ CY>AW ⟹ BW>DY ⟹ DZ>BX ⟹ CX>AZAZ>CX\ \Longrightarrow\ CY>AW\ \Longrightarrow\ BW>DY\ \Longrightarrow\ DZ>BX\ \Longrightarrow\ CX>AZ
Detailed analysis

Triangles AWZAWZ and CYXCYX have the same apex angle ∠A=∠C\angle A=\angle C and the same inradius r1=r3r_1=r_3, so they share the same decreasing relation between their two legs; likewise △BXW\triangle BXW and △DZY\triangle DZY share ∠B=∠D\angle B=\angle D and r2=r4r_2=r_4. If AZ≠CXAZ\ne CX, assume without loss of generality AZ>CXAZ>CX. Then monotonicity at A,CA,C gives CY>AWCY>AW; subtracting from AB=CDAB=CD gives BW=AB−AW>CD−CY=DYBW=AB-AW>CD-CY=DY; monotonicity at B,DB,D then gives DZ>BXDZ>BX; subtracting from DA=BCDA=BC gives CX=BC−BX>DA−DZ=AZCX=BC-BX>DA-DZ=AZ, contradicting AZ>CXAZ>CX. Hence AZ=CXAZ=CX and AW=CYAW=CY (and consequently DZ=BXDZ=BX and BW=DYBW=DY). Thus △AWZ≅△CYX\triangle AWZ\cong\triangle CYX and △BXW≅△DZY\triangle BXW\cong\triangle DZY by SAS, giving WZ=YXWZ=YX and WX=ZYWX=ZY, so WXYZWXYZ is a parallelogram.