The simple geometry problem and its applications

The problem below is well-known but its applications are very interesting and profound.
Problem 1:
Let the incircle (I) of triangle ABC is tangent to AB, AC at M,N respectively. The line BI
intersects MN at E. Prove that BEC = 90o
Solution:

We only prove this problem when E lies outside the segment MN (other case is similar)
Since (I) toughs AB, AC at M, N respectively we get AMN = ANM
A
Then ENC = ANM = 900
2
B C
A
+
= 90o
On the other hand, we have EIC = IBC + ICB =
2
2
2
Therefore ENC = EIC
Hence quadrilateral INEC is cyclic.
We obtain BEC = IEC = INC = 90o (q.e.d)
Now, lets start with some applications of problem 1 :
Problem 2:
Let the incircle (I) of triangle ABC tough BC, CA, AB at M,N,P respectively. The line BI
intersects MN,PN at G,H, CI intersects PM,PN at J,K. Show that 4 points G,H,J,K lie on
one circle.
Solution:

Using problem 1 we get AJC = AGB = BKC = BHC = 90o

AJIG is a cyclic quadrilateral so KJG = IJG = IAG (1)
Moreover AGI = ANI = 90o then quadrilateral AIGN is cyclic.
We get IAG = ING = ICN = ICB = KCB
(2)
o
Since BKC = BHC = 90 , we have quadrilateral BKHC is cyclic.
(3)
Hence KCB = KHB = KHG
From (1),(2) and (3) we obtain KJG = KHG
Therefore GHJK is a cyclic quadrilateral (q.e.d)

Problem 3:
Let xBy = . A is a fixed which lie point on the ray Bx. C moves on the ray By. The
incircle (I) of triangle ABC touches AC, BC at E,F respectively. Prove that the line EF
always passes through a fixed point.
Solution:

Let M be the intersection of EF and BI.

From problem 1, we have AMB = 900
2

Note that ABM =

and A, B are two fixed points.

2
Then M is a fixed point.
Therefore the line EF passes through a fixed point M (q.e.d)

Next, we will use the problem 3 to solve this hard and nice problem:
Problem 4:
Given a triangle ABC. A point D moves on the opposite ray of the ray BC such that the
incircles of triangles ABD and ACD intersect each other at P and Q. Prove that the line
PQ always passes through a fixed point.
Solution:

Let (O1) tangent to BD, AD at M,N; (O2) tangent to BD,AD at X,Y respectively. BO1
intersects MN at E, CO2 intersects XY at F.
Note that the angles ABC, ACD are invariable then by problem 3, we get E,F are two
fixed points.
Because MN, PQ, XY are perpendicular to O1O2, we obtain XY//PQ//MN (1)
Let I, K be the intersections of PQ and BD,EF respectively.
We have IM2=IQ.IP=IX2 then IM=IX (2)
From (1) and (2) we get PQ is a median of trapezoid MEFX
So KE=KF=1/2EF
Since E,F are two fixed points we have K is a fixed point.

Therefore PQ passes through a fixed point K.

Problem 5 (Vietnam NMO 2009):

Let A, B be two fixed points and C is a variable point on the plane such that ACB =
(constant) ( 0o < < 1800 ). Let N, M, P be the projections of the incenter I of triangle
ABC to its sides BC, CA, AB respectively. Denoted by E, F the intersections of AI, BI
with MN, respectively. Prove that the length of the segment EF is constant and the
circumcircle of triangle EFP always passes through a fixed point.

Solution:

a, Applying problem 1, we have AFB = AEB = 90o then the quadrilateral AFEB is
cyclic.
On the other hand, INB = IEB = 90o so the quadrilateral INEB is cyclic.
We get FBE = IBE = MNI =

ACB
2

The diameter AB of the circumcircle of quadrilateral AFEB is constant therefore EF is

constant (q.e.d)
b, Its easy to see that the circumcircle of triangle EFP is the Eulers circle of triangle
AIB hence it passes through the midpoint J of segment AB and J is a fixed point.

Problem 6 ( Iberoamerican 1989):

Let the incircle (O) of triangle ABC touch AC, BC at M, N, respectively. The bisectors of
angles A and B meet MN at P, Q, respectively. Prove that MP.OA=BC.OQ

Solution:

By problem 1, we have AQB = APB = 90o

Since AMO = AQO = 900 we get quadrilateral AOQM is cyclic.
Then AOQ = QMC = MOC
So cos AOQ = cos MOC
Or

OQ OM
=
OA OC

(1)

We need to prove that

OM MP
=
OC BC

We have OMP = OCB

BOPN is a cyclic quadrilateral hence OPM = OBC
Therefore POM BOC we obtain

From (1) and (2) we get

OM MP
=
(2)
OC BC

OQ MP
=
OA BC

So MP.OA=OQ.BC (q.e.d)
5

Problem 7 (Romanian IMO Team Selection Test 2007):

Let ABC be a triangle, let E,F be the tangency points of the incircle (I) to the sides AC,
AB, respectively, and let M be the midpoint of the side BC. AM meets EF at N. (M, MB)
NX AC
=
intersects BI, CI again at X,Y, respectively. Show that
NY AB

Solution:

Using problem 1 we have X,Y lie on EF.

Draw a line d which pass through A and parallel to BC. EF meets d at K. Let D be the
projection of I to BC. ID intersects EF and d at N,H, respectively.
Three points F,H,E are visible from AI under the right angle so the quadrilateral HFIE is
cyclic.
Then IHF = FEI = EFI = IHE
So HI is the bisector of angle FHE.
On the other side, KHI = 90o hence (KNFE)=-1
Then (AK,AN,AF,AE)=-1
But d//BC and MB=MC=1/2BC we get (AK,AM,AB,AC)=-1 or (AK,AN,AF,AE)=-1
Therefore N ' N
Let J be the intersection of AI and BC.
Since BYXC is a cyclic quadrilateral we obtain NXI = YXB = YCB = ICJ

On the other hand,

NIX = BID = 90o

ABC BAC ACB

=
+
= IAC + ICA = JIC
2
2
2

So NIX JIC we claim

Similarly we also have

NY JB
=
NI
JI

From (1) and (2) we obtain

Or

NX JC
=
(1)
NI
JI
(2)

NX NI JC JI
.
=
.
NI NY JI JB

NX JC AC
=
=
(q.e.d)
NY JB AB

Problem 8 (TTT2-41):
Given a triangle ABC with A = 60o , the circle (O) inscribed in triangle ABC, touches
the sides AB,AC,BC at points D,E,F, . The line DE intersects the lines BO, CO,
respectively at N,M. Find the area of triangle MNF in terms of the area of triangle ABC.

Solution:

Case 1: AB=AC. It is easy to prove that SMNP=1/4SABC

Case 2: AB AC
Applying problem 1 we have BMC = 90o then two quadrilaterals BDMO and BMOF
are cyclic.

So NMO = ABO = CBO = FMO

Hence NMF = B
Similarly, MNF = C
2

r
S
Therefore FMN ABC we claim FMN = FMN (1)
S ABC rABC
Let H be the projection of O to MF, we have rFMN=OH
2

r OH 1
1
1
o
Then FMN =
= (because HFO = MFN = BAC = 30 ) (2)
4
2
2
rABC OF
From (1) and (2) we get SFMN=1/4SABC

Problem 9 (TTT2-23):
Let ABC be a non isosceles triangle circumscribed the circle (O).D,E,F are three
tangency points of (O) to the sides BC,CA,AB, respectively. M is the intersection of AO
and DE, N is the intersection of BO and EF, P is the intersection of CO and DF. Show
that SNAB=SMAC=SPBC.

Solution:

Using problem 1, we have AMB = 900 . Let L be the intersection of BM and AC, K and
H be the projections of M and B to the side AC.
Since BAM = CAM and AMB = 90o we get BM=LM
Then MH =

1
BK or SAMC=1/2SABC
2

Similarly, SNAB=SPBC=1/2SABC therefore SNAB=SMAC=SPBC (q.e.d)

Comment:
So, starting from a simple geometry problem, we constructed many interesting results.
Among them, there are many problems from the contests around the world. I think that
problem 1 still has other applications for the readers to discover.