MathLabs

Problem 2

Let ABCABC be a triangle and let points MM and NN be the midpoints of sides ABAB and ACAC, respectively. Let points KK and LL be chosen strictly inside triangles BMCBMC and BNCBNC, respectively, such that KK lies strictly inside triangle ABLABL and LL lies strictly inside triangle AKCAKC. Suppose that ∠KBA=∠ACL\angle KBA=\angle ACL, ∠LBK=∠LNC\angle LBK=\angle LNC, and ∠LCK=∠BMK\angle LCK=\angle BMK. Let OO be the circumcentre of triangle AKLAKL. Prove that OM=ONOM=ON.
Step 1 of 4: Translate the three angle conditions into cyclic quadrilaterals
X:=BK∩AC,Y:=CL∩AB ⟹ BYXC, MYXN, XNLB (ωB), YMKC (ωC) cyclicX:=BK\cap AC,\quad Y:=CL\cap AB\ \Longrightarrow\ BYXC,\ MYXN,\ XNLB\ (\omega_B),\ YMKC\ (\omega_C)\ \text{cyclic}
Detailed analysis

Work with directed angles and directed lengths, so extensions require no separate cases. Define X:=BK∩ACX:=BK\cap AC and Y:=CL∩ABY:=CL\cap AB. The first hypothesis gives ∠YBC=∠KBA=∠ACL=∠XCB\angle YBC=\angle KBA=\angle ACL=\angle XCB, so BYXCBYXC is cyclic by the equal-angle criterion. The midpoint relation MN∥BCMN\parallel BC (midline of △ABC\triangle ABC) and the secant-product identity for the first circle imply that the two products on the lines through M,Y and N,X are equal, hence MYXNMYXN is cyclic. Next, ∠LBX=∠LBK=∠LNC=∠LNX\angle LBX=\angle LBK=\angle LNC=\angle LNX shows XNLBXNLB is cyclic; call its circumcircle ωB\omega_B. Symmetrically, ∠YCK=∠LCK=∠BMK=∠YMK\angle YCK=\angle LCK=\angle BMK=\angle YMK shows YMKCYMKC is cyclic; call its circumcircle ωC\omega_C. The strict interior hypotheses keep the needed points distinct, and directed angles cover either possible order on each line.