MathLabs

Problem 4

Let ABCABC be an acute-angled triangle with orthocenter HH, and let WW be a point on the side BCBC, lying strictly between BB and CC. The points MM and NN are the feet of the altitudes from BB and CC, respectively. Denote by ω1\omega_1 the circumcircle of BWNBWN, and let XX be the point on ω1\omega_1 such that WXWX is a diameter of ω1\omega_1. Analogously, denote by ω2\omega_2 the circumcircle of CWMCWM, and let YY be the point such that WYWY is a diameter of ω2\omega_2. Prove that X,YX, Y and HH are collinear.
Step 4 of 5: A power-of-a-point identity involving H
AL⋅AH=AB⋅AN=AW⋅AZAL\cdot AH = AB\cdot AN = AW\cdot AZ
Detailed analysis

The quadrilateral BLHNBLHN is cyclic, since ∠BLH=∠BNH=90∘\angle BLH=\angle BNH=90^\circ are two opposite right angles. Computing the power of AA with respect to ω1\omega_1 and to the circle through B,L,H,NB,L,H,N gives AL⋅AH=AB⋅AN=AW⋅AZAL\cdot AH=AB\cdot AN=AW\cdot AZ, where the last equality is the power of AA with respect to ω1\omega_1, using the radical-axis relation already established.