MathLabs

Problem 5

Let ABCDEFABCDEF be a convex hexagon with AB=BC=CDAB=BC=CD and DE=EF=FADE=EF=FA, such that ∠BCD=∠EFA=60∘\angle BCD=\angle EFA=60^\circ. Suppose that GG and HH are points in the interior of the hexagon such that ∠AGB=∠DHE=120∘\angle AGB=\angle DHE=120^\circ. Prove that AG+GB+GH+DH+HE≥CFAG+GB+GH+DH+HE\ge CF.
Step 3 of 4: Apply Ptolemy's inequality
In plain words

The 120-degree conditions make the broken paths dominate the reflected diagonals.

C′G≤AG+GB,HF′≤DH+HEC'G\le AG+GB,\quad HF'\le DH+HE
Detailed analysis

Apply Ptolemy's inequality to the equilateral triangle C′ABC'AB together with GG and to F′DEF'DE together with HH. Using ∠AGB=∠DHE=120∘\angle AGB=\angle DHE=120^\circ gives C′G≤AG+GBC'G\le AG+GB and HF′≤DH+HEHF'\le DH+HE.