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 3 of 4: Introduce midpoints E, F: seven points lie on one circle
E:=midpoint of BY,F:=midpoint of CX ⟹ A,K,L,E,F,K′,L′ concyclicE:=\text{midpoint of }BY,\quad F:=\text{midpoint of }CX\ \Longrightarrow\ A,K,L,E,F,K',L'\ \text{concyclic}
Detailed analysis

The real lines XKXK and XCXC (the latter is line ACAC) already contain points of ωC\omega_C, so each has a second real intersection with ωC\omega_C; call them K′K' and C′C' (a tangent is counted with multiplicity). Define L′,B′L',B' symmetrically on ωB\omega_B. Using directed products, the secant through AA on ωC\omega_C has endpoints C,C′C,C' on the ACAC line and Y,MY,M on the AYAY line. Thus power from AA to ωC\omega_C and to the circle MYXNMYXN (which passes through Y,M,C′,CY,M,C',C in the relevant secant description) yields AC′⋅AC=AY⋅AM=AX⋅ANAC'\cdot AC=AY\cdot AM=AX\cdot AN. Since NN is the midpoint of ACAC, AN=12ACAN=\tfrac12AC; canceling the nonzero directed ACAC gives AC′=12AXAC'=\tfrac12AX, so C′C' is the midpoint of AXAX. The symmetric argument gives B′B' as the midpoint of AYAY.