MathLabs

Problem 4

Let triangle ABCABC with incenter II satisfy AB<AC<BCAB<AC<BC. Let XX be a point on line BCBC, different from CC, such that the line through XX parallel to ACAC is tangent to the incircle. Similarly, let YY be a point on line BCBC, different from BB, such that the line through YY parallel to ABAB is tangent to the incircle. Line AIAI intersects the circumcircle of triangle ABCABC again at PP. Let KK and LL be the midpoints of ACAC and ABAB, respectively. Prove that ∠KIL+∠YPX=180∘\angle KIL+\angle YPX=180^\circ.
Step 4 of 4: Angle addition at T and supplementary angles at X, Y finish the proof
In plain words

Splitting angle BTC through P and rewriting each half using the two cyclic quadrilaterals turns it into the two base angles of triangle PXY measured from the outside, which are supplementary to the angle of that triangle at P.

∠BTC+∠XPY=180∘  ⟹  ∠KIL+∠YPX=180∘\angle BTC+\angle XPY=180^\circ\implies\angle KIL+\angle YPX=180^\circ
Detailed analysis

Use directed angles modulo 180∘180^\circ. By the two cyclic quadrilaterals from Step 3, ∠CTP=∠CYP\angle CTP=\angle CYP and ∠PTB=∠PXB\angle PTB=\angle PXB. Because B,X,Y,CB,X,Y,C are in this order on one line, reversing the first ray in each of these two angles does not change its directed value, so ∠CYP=∠XYP\angle CYP=\angle XYP and ∠PXB=∠YXP\angle PXB=\angle YXP as directed angles. Therefore ∠CTB=∠CTP+∠PTB=∠XYP+∠YXP=∠XPY\angle CTB=\angle CTP+\angle PTB=\angle XYP+\angle YXP=\angle XPY modulo 180∘180^\circ, using the directed angle sum in triangle PXYPXY. We now choose the ordinary representatives. The altitude from AA to BCBC is 2Δ/a2\Delta/a and the inradius is r=Δ/sr=\Delta/s, so 2Δ/a>2r2\Delta/a>2r because s>as>a; hence the reflection TT of AA over II lies on the side of BCBC opposite AA. The second circumcircle intersection PP also lies on that side, since the ray from AA through the interior point II crosses BCBC before reaching the circumcircle again. With B<X<Y<CB<X<Y<C, this configuration makes the two ordinary angles represented by the directed equality supplementary (the angle at TT opens toward the whole segment BCBC, while the angle at PP subtends the inner segment XYXY). Thus ∠BTC+∠XPY=180∘\angle BTC+\angle XPY=180^\circ. Finally Step 1 gives ∠KIL=∠BTC\angle KIL=\angle BTC, and ∠XPY=∠YPX\angle XPY=\angle YPX, so the required sum is 180∘180^\circ.