Problem 0.1.

Consider a mapping f assigns a circle to every triangle in the plane so

that the following conditions hold. We consider all nondegenerate triangles and circles of
nonzero radius.
(a) Let σ be any similarity in the plane and let σ map triangle ∆1 onto triangle ∆2 .
Then σ also maps circle f (∆1 ) onto circle f (∆2 ).
(b) Let A, B, C, D be any four points in general position. Then circles f (ABC), f (BCD), f (CDA)
and f (DAB) have a common point.
Prove that for any triangle ∆, the circle f (∆) is the Euler circle of ∆.

Chứng minh. We will proof a lemma to support the solution.

Lemma 1. Consider 4ABC such that AB = AC. Let M be the midpoint of BC. Then
f (ABC) is tangent to BC at M .

Chứng minh. Let A0 be the reflection of A through BC, then four points A, B, C, A0 are in
general position. So we can use condition (b) to conclude that f (ABC), f (A0 BC), f (ABA0 ), f (ACA0 )
have a common point, let that common point be X.

Now, notice that if we call the reflection through BC by g, the reflection through
AA0 by h, then using condition (a) we have g(f (ABC)) = f (A0 BC), and h(f (ABA0 )) =
f (ACA0 ). So, with the point X lies on these circles, we have g(X) = X and h(X) = X,
so X lies on BC and AA0 , or X is the midpoint of BC. After this argument, we have
f (ABC) passes through the midpont of BC.

Finally, let M be the midpoint of BC, and let t be the reflection through AM . We
have t(ABC) = ABC, then t(f (ABC)) = f (ABC) (Because of condition (a)). Notice
that the center of f (ABC) is unchanged after the reflection, so we have the center of
f (ABC) lies on AM . Combining with the fact that M ∈ f (ABC), it’s obvious saying
that f (ABC) is tangent to BC at M .

Now, back to the problem, consider an arbitrary triangle ABC and let A0 be the
reflection of A through BC. Then by conidion (b), f (ABC), f (ABA0 ), f (ACA0 ) have a
common point. (1)

According to Lemma 1, we have f (ABA0 ) touches f (ACA0 ) at the midpoint of AA0

(Because both of them touch AA0 at the midpoint of AA0 , as 4ABA0 and 4ACA0 are
isosceles triangles). So the common point in (1) is the midpoint of AA0 (The only inter-
section of f (ABA0 ) and f (ACA0 )). So f (ABC) passes through the midpoint of AA0 . By
the same proofs, we can easily have that f (ABC) is the Euler circle of 4ABC.