Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 1

Extension of the geometric problem on

mathematics and youngth journal
Tran Quang Hung
Abstract
The article puts forward an interesting generalization of the problem, which was at-
tractive their readers attention of the math and youngth journal with the proof through
the property of the harmonic pencils and use the E.R.I.Q Lemma, in addition of some
application of the general problem.
On the the math and youngth journal No 402 December, 2010 there is an interesting problem
on proposed problems of the teacher Nguyen Minh Ha as following
Problem 1. Let the acute triangle ABC, the altitude AD. M is one point on the segment
AD. The segments BM, CM cut AC, AB at E, F respectively. DE, DF cut the circles with
the diameter AB, AC at K, L respectively. Prove that the straight line linked two midpoints
of EF, KL goes through A.
Remark. The proof of the above problem was published on the math and youngth journal No
406, year 2011. Beside the ratio calculation for using E.R.I.Q lemma as in the answer, we also
can resolve the problem by using a couple of similar triangles XKA and Y AF , XEA and Y AL.
However, the ratio calculation by using the power of point combine with Thales Theorem help
us to see another side in using the concyclic points. With the idea of using E.R.I.Q lemma, we
see a general as following
Problem 2. Let the triangle ABC and P is any points on the plane. P A, P B, P C cut
BC, CA, AB at D, E, F . P A cuts EF at G. H is the projection of G on BC. HE, HF
cut circumcircles of the triangles HAB, HAC at M, N respectively, differently from H. HG
cuts the straight line through A and parallel to BC at Q. Prove that the straight line linked
two midpoints of M N, EF goes through Q.
For resolving the problem, we use two following lemma
Lemma 2.1. Let the triangle ABC and P is any points on the plane. P A, P B, P C cut
BC, CA, AB at D, E, F . P A cuts EF at G. H is the projection of G on BC. HE, HF, HG
cut the straight line through A and parallel to BC at X, Y, Q respectively, then Q is the
midpoint of XY and HX = HY .

Y A Q X

F G

R B H D C
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 2

Proof. Call by R the intersection of EF cut BC we have the basic harmonic range (BC, DR) =
−1 project through center A on the straight line EF we have the range (EF, GR) = −1 then
the range H(EF, GR) = −1 else have HG ⊥ HR then thank to the property of bisector pencils
easily deduce HG is the bisector of ∠EHF . So in the triangle HXY have HG ≡ HQ is the
perpendicular and bisector then the triangle HXY is isosceles at H, deduce Q is the midpoint
of XY and HX = HY .
The following is called E.R.I.Q Lemma the first alphabet in English of phrase ”Equal Ratio
In Quadrilateral” by the Greece architect Kostas Vittas.
Lemma 2.2. Let the quadrilateral ABCD, the points M, N on the segments AB, CD such
MA ND
that = then the points device the segment AD, BC and M N to the Equal Ratio are
MB NC
collinear.
The lemma is basic result of many ways of the proof in a lot of the literature. Return to the
problem

S Q X T
A
Y

K
F G E
P
N
M

B D C
H

Proof. AQ cuts the circumcircle of the triangle HAB, HAC at S, T respectively. HE, HF
cut AQ at X, Y respectively. We see A, S, H, M belongs to (K) the incircle of the triangle
AHB and A, T, H, N belongs to the circle (L) the circumcircle of the triangle AHC then
XS.XA XM .XH
XS.XA = XM .XH and Y T .Y A = Y N .Y H, deduce = (1).
Y T .Y A Y N .Y H
We note that AT CH is isosceles trapezoid and have AQ is the altitude T A−CH = 2QA. Then
XE XA XA XA XA XA
we have = = = = = (2).
XH XA + CH XA + T A − 2QA QX + QT −QY + QT YT
YF YA
Similarly, = (3).
YH XS
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 3

XE Y H XA.XS
From (2),(3) deduce . = (4).
XH Y F Y T .Y A
XM .XH XE.Y H XM Y N Y H2 YN
From (1),(4) deduce = or = . 2
= . Note Y H = XH
Y N .Y H XH.Y F XE Y F XH YF
according to Lemma 2.1.
Thence, according to the Lemma 2.1 and the Lemma 2.2 the midpoint Q of XY and the
midpoint M N, EF are collinear. We are done.
Remark. When AD is the altitude of the triangle ABC we receive the first problem. The
problem, which is presented with any point P , will apply in many different special conditions.
We show some examples of the application of this problem.

Problem 3. Let the triangle ABC and any point P . Call the intersection of P A, P B, P C cut
BC, CA, AB are D, E, F . Call by H the projection of D on EF . HB, HC cut the circumcircles
of the triangles AHE, AHF at M, N . Q is the projection of A on HD. Prove that the straight
line linked two midpoints of BC, M N goes through Q.

The first proof. Apply directly the second problem for the triangle AEF with concurrency
of the lines BE, CF and AD, we are done.
We can present the proof of this problem in other way, which could be seen the other proof of
the second problem.

S
A

Q
N

J
T

F M
H
E
P
B I D C

The second proof. Call by T, S the intersections of HM, HN and AQ respectively. Apply
the property of the harmonic pencils as the Lemma 1 problem 2 then deduce HQ is the bisector
of ∠SHT but HQ ⊥ ST deduce the triangle HST is isosceles at H. Deduce Q is the midpoint
of ST and ∠HST = ∠HT S. Else have ∠AN S = 180◦ − ∠AN H = 180◦ − ∠AF H = ∠BAT .
SA SN
Thence 4SAN ∼ 4T BA deduce = , or SA.T A = SN .T B. Analogously prove and
TB TA
SN TM
deduce SA.T A = T M .SC deduce T M .SC = SN .T B or = . From this, apply the
SC TB
E.R.I.Q lemma we are done.
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 4

Remark. That two problems are considered the same. In the proof of the second problem,
we calculate the ratio by Thales theorem and power and use E.R.I.Q. But in the proof of the
third problem we use two couple similar triangles. Every method have and pros and cons.
The calculation is longish but logic because we change the algebraic length exactly in every
step. The method of using similar triangles is shorcut but using the algebraic length on the
nonparallel axis is not guaranteed logic. The present of two proof in the article is reasonable
because of the avoidance of the duplication, on the same time the present of the third problem
makes the problem hidden awhile. The application of the second and third problems to different
triangles creates new problems or new lemma interesting. To see the example application of
second and third problem as following

Problem 4. Let the triangle ABC, the altitude AD, BE, CF . K is the projection of D on EF .
Call by M, N the intersection of KB, KC cut the circumcircles of the triangles KAE, KAF
respectively, differently from K. Call by P, Q the midpoints of M N, BC. Prove that P Q and
DK intersect on the tangent at A of the circumcircle of the triangle ABC.

A
T M

R Q

N E
K
F

B C
D P

Figure 1.

Solution. Call by S, R the intersection of KM, KN respectively with the tangent at A of the
circumcircle of the triangle ABC. Apply the lemma proved above, deduce DK is the bisector
of angle BKC. Else have the familiar result EF k RS so DK is perpendicular to RS but
DK is also the bisector of ∠RKS deduce the triangle KRS is isosceles at K. Call by T the
intersection of DK, RS, deduce T is the midpoint of RS. In this, we see a third problem that
the midpoints of the segments M N, BC and T collinear. We are done.
The other nice application as following
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 5

Problem 5. Let the triangle ABC the incircle (I) touches BC, CA, AB at D, E, F . H is the
projection of D on EF . HB, HC cut the circumcircles of the triangles HAE, HAF at M, N
differently from H. Prove that the midpoints of BC, M N and AH are collinear.

K
A
M
S
T
L Q
N
E
H R

F
I

C
B D P

Figure 2.

Solution. Call by P, R, Q, T the midpoints of BC, EF, AH, M N respectively . Call by S the
intersection of QR, DH. Easily prove that ASHR is the rectangle, deduce AS is the external
bisector at the vertex A of the triangle ABC. Call by K, L the intersection of AS to HM, HN
respectively . With property of the harmonic range as the Lemma 1 problem 2, we deduce HS
is the bisector of ∠KHL, but DH ⊥ KL deduce the triangle HKL is isosceles at H. Deduce
S is the midpoints of KL. Apply the third problem, deduce S, T, P are collinear. Apply some
familiar remarks to the point H in the triangle such that ∠HBA = ∠HCA then the line
connected the feet of the projections of H on the external and internal bisector at vertex A
goes through the midpoint of BC, we receive S, R, P collinear. Then deduce P, R, Q collinear.
We are done.
Remark. We cannot use the above remark and directly prove P, R, S collinear as following.
Call ID cuts EF at X and cuts (I) at Y differently from D. AY cuts BC at Z. Easily seen
AX goes through the midpoint P of BC and P is also the midpoint of DZ, in other hand
XR RX IX IX PX
IP k AY and = = = = so P, R, S collinear.
AS RH ID IY PA
Problem 6. Let the triangle ABC, the median AM . The points E, F on CA, AB respectively,
such that EF k BC. H is the projection of M on EF . HB, HC cut the circumcircles of the
triangles HAE, HAF at K, L respectively. Prove that HK = HL.
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 6

L K

F H E

B M C

Figure 3.

EA FA
Solution. Do EF k BC, apply the Thales theorem, deduce = , else have M the
EC FB
MB
midpoint of BC deduce = −1. Apply the Ceva theorem to the triangle ABC with the
MC
M B EC F A
points M, E, F on BC, CA, AB respectively, we have . . = −1 deduce AM, BE, CF
M C EA F B
are concurrent. Similarly, prove the problem 3, easily seen HM the bisector KHL and HM go
through the midpoint of KL, deduce the triangle HKL is isosceles at H. Deduce HK = HL.
We are done.

Problem 7. Let the triangle ABC inscribed circle (O). The circumcircle of the triangle BOC
cuts AO at K differ from O. Get the points E, F on CA, AB such that KA the bisector of
∠EKF . KE, KF cut the circumcircles of the triangles KAC, KAB at M, N respectively differ
from K. Prove that the line connected the midpoints of EF, M N goes through A.
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 7

P
A

Q
M
I
N
O
F
J
E

B C

Figure 4.

Solution. Call by P, Q the intersection of the tangent at A of the circle (O) to KE, KF .
Easily prove that the triangle KP Q is isosceles at K and A is the midpoint of P Q. We have
∠KBC = ∠KOC = 2∠OAC deduce ∠KBA = 2∠OAC + ∠ABC = 180◦ − ∠ABC = ∠KN A
deduce ∠AN Q = ∠ABC = ∠EAP , else have ∠N QA = ∠AP E deduce 4AN Q ∼ 4AP E.
Deduce N Q.EP = AQ.AP . Prove similarly, we have M P .F Q = AQ.AP . Apply the E.R.I.Q
lemma deduce the thing we need prove.

Problem 8. Let the triangle ABC the orthocenter H. P is the any point on AH. The
circumcircle of the triangles AP C, AP B cut CA, AB at E, F respectively. HB, HC cut the
circumcircle of the triangles AHF, AHE at M, N respectively differ from H. Prove that the
triangles AEF and AM N have the same symmedian.
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 8

F M
Z Y
N E

A T
S P K
L
H

B C
R

Figure 5.

Solution. Call by Q the intersection of BM, F N . We have ∠CN Q = ∠HAC = ∠CBQ

deduce C, B, N, Q are on the same circle. Deduce ∠N QB = ∠N CB = ∠BAH = ∠EM H
deduce N Q k EM . Because BCKL is cyclic so easily have KL k M E k N Q. Call P B, P C cut
CA, AB at T, S and cut the circumcircle of the triangles P AC, P AB at Y, Z differ from P . Call
AR, BK, CL the altitudes of the triangle ABC. Easily seen two triangles ABY and AZC are
BA.BE
similar. In other hand, we have BA.BE = BP.BY and CA.CF = CP.CZ deduce =
CA.CF
BP.BY P B AY BE P B AY P B AY P B AT CA SB AT
= . . Then = . = . = . = . . =
CP.CZ P C AC CF P C AB AB P C AB T P SA CT AB
RB CA HB
. = . Note the last equations were received by application Menelaus Theorem for
RC AB HC
the triangle ABT with S, P, C collinear and Ceva Theorem for the triangle ABC with BT, CS
and AR are concurrent. Then note that ∠HBE = ∠HCF so two triangles HBE and HCF
are similar. Deduce ∠HF A = ∠HEA = ∠KM A. Then two right triangles KF H and KM A
LC KF KF KH KM KH KM.KH KM
are similar. Then = = . = . = = . So from two
LN KC KH KC KA KC KH.KB KB
similar triangles ACL and ABK deduce two triangles ABM and ACN are similar. So we have
LB KB LC KC
= = =
LE KM LN KF
deduce N E k M F k BC. We deduce the quadrileteral EM F N is parallelogram or EF, M N
cut each other at their midpoint , so the triangles AEF, AM N have the same median from
A. We prove the bisector of angle ∠M AN is also the bisector of ∠BAC as two proof above
Tran Quang Hung - HSGS 9

4ACN ∼ 4ABM so ∠F AN = ∠EAM or the bisector of ∠F AE and the bisector of ∠M AN

are concoinde. Then the symmedian A of the triangle AM N and triangle AEF are concoinde.
We are done.
Do the following exercises.

Problem 9. Let the triangle ABC with P, Q are equiangular on the bisector of the angle A.
E, F are the projections of P on CA, AB. D is the projection of Q on BC. H is the projection
of D on EF . HB, HC cut the circumcircle of the triangles HAE, HAF at M, N differ from
H. Prove that the midpoints of BC, M N and AH are collinear.

Suggestion. Call by K, L the projections of B, C on EF . We have a couple similar triangles

4BDQ ∼ 4BF P, 4CDQ ∼ CEP, 4BKF ∼ 4CLE. Note that BK k DH k CL so we have
HK DB DB DP F B EP BF BK
= = . = . = = . Then 4KBH ∼ 4LCH deduce the
HL DC DP DC F P EC CE CL
thing need done.

In the conclusion, I would like to thank to my pupils Nguyen Ngoc Chi Lan, who help me a
lot in completion of the proof of the third, sixth, seventh, eighth problems. I also would like to
thank to Nguyen Tien Dung the student of K50 university of foreign trade, who read all the
article and contribute significantly, on the same time Dung remarks well-founded for the first,
second, third problems and suggest some other proof for completion the fifth, eighth, nineth
problem .

References
[1] Math and youngth journal No 402 December, 2010.

[2] Math and youngth journal No 406, April, 2011.

Tran Quang Hung, High School for gifted student, University of Science, Hanoi National Uni-
versity.
E-mail: analgeomatica@gmail.com