MathLabs

Problem 1

Chords ABAB and CDCD of a circle intersect at EE inside the circle. Let MM be an interior point of EBEB. The tangent at EE to the circle through D,E,MD,E,M meets BCBC and ACAC at F,GF,G. If t=AM/ABt=AM/AB, find EF/EGEF/EG.
Step 3 of 3: Divide the ratios and substitute t
EFEG=BMAM=(1−t)ABtAB=1−tt\frac{EF}{EG}=\frac{BM}{AM}=\frac{(1-t)AB}{tAB}=\frac{1-t}{t}
Detailed analysis

Dividing the two similarity relations cancels CE and MD, giving EFEG=BMAM\frac{EF}{EG}=\frac{BM}{AM}. Since M lies on AB, AM=tABAM=tAB and BM=(1−t)ABBM=(1-t)AB. Therefore EFEG=BMAM=(1−t)ABtAB=1−tt\frac{EF}{EG}=\frac{BM}{AM}=\frac{(1-t)AB}{tAB}=\frac{1-t}{t}.