Topic 1: Menelaus’s Theorem, ceve’s

Theorem and related problems

Group 4: Leader: Giang Giang

PROBLEM 2. Let P be a point in the plane of triangle ABC, and ` a line passing
through P . Let A0 , B 0 , C 0 be the points where the reflections of lines P A, P B, P C with
respect to ` intersect lines BC, AC, AB respectively. Prove that A0 , B 0 , C 0 are collinear.
(Hint: Using the Law of Sines.)

Solution

Figure 1:

Apply law of sines. I can see that:

sin ∠AP B 0 sin ∠CP B 0
AB 0 = AP · B 0 C = CP ·
sin ∠AB 0 P sin ∠CB 0 P
sin ∠CP A0 sin ∠BP A0
CA0 = CP · A0 B = BP ·
sin ∠CA0 P sin ∠BA0 P
sin ∠BP C 0 sin ∠AP C 0
BC 0 = BP · C 0 A = AP · .
sin ∠BC 0 P sin ∠AC 0 P
Therefore
AC 0 AP sin ∠AP C 0 BA0 BP sin ∠BP A0 CB 0 CP sin ∠CP B 0
= , = , = .
BC 0 BP sin ∠BP C 0 CA0 CP sin ∠CP A0 AB 0 AP sin ∠AP B 0
The construction of A0 , B 0 , C 0 by reflections using axis of symmetry property and property
of two complementary angles.
 sin ∠AP B 0 = sin ∠BP A0 (supplementary angles)
sin ∠CP A0 = sin ∠AP C 0 (supplementary angles)
sin ∠BP C 0 = sin ∠CP B 0 .

Hence,
AC 0 BA0 CB 0
· · = 1,
BC 0 CA0 AB 0
and the proof is complete by Menelaus’ theorem.

PROBLEM 1. Points A1 , B1 , C1 are chosen on the sides BC, CA, AB, respectively of a
triangle ABC. Denote by Ga , Gb , Gc are the centroids of triangles AB1 C1 , BC1 C1 , CA1 B1 ,
respectively. Prove that the lines AGa , BGb , CGc are concurrent if and only if lines
AA1 , BB1 , CC1 are concurrent.

Solution

Figure 2:

Let G, H, I be a mid point of C1 B1 , B1 A1, A1 C1 .

Using law of sines, when G be a mid point of B1 C1 . we have that
S4AB1 G AG.AB1 sin ∠GAB1 AB1 sin ∠GAB1
= = · =1
S4AC1 G AG.AC1 . sin ∠GAC1 AC1 sin ∠GAC1
Then
sin ∠GAB1 AC1
=
sin ∠GAC1 AB1
Similar, we also have
sin ∠HCB1 B1 C sin ∠IBA1 A1 B
= ; =
sin ∠HCA1 A1 C sin ∠IBC1 C1 B
Therefore, apply Ceve’s Theorem for three concurrent line AA1 , BB1 , CC1 :
A1 B B1 C C1 A
· · =1
A1 C B1 A C1 B
sin ∠GAB1 sin ∠HCB1 sin ∠IBA1
⇒ · · =1
sin ∠GAC1 sin ∠HCA1 sin ∠IBC1
Apply Ceve’s Theorem for triangle ABC we have AG, BI, CH be concurrent or know
that Ga A, Gb B, Gc C be median line respect to 4AC1 B1 , 4BC1 A1 , 4CB1 A1 .
Prove the opposite is similar with Ga , Gb , Gc be concurrent, we also have that:
sin ∠GAC1 sin ∠HCB1 sin ∠IBA1 A1 B B1 C C1 A
· · = · · =1
sin ∠GAC1 sin ∠HCA1 sin ∠IBC1 A1 C B1 A C1 B
Therefore, we conlude that AA1 , BB1 , CC1 be concurrent follow Ceve’s Theorem.
PROBLEM 3. Let ABC be a triangle. Let AM, BN, CP be its internal angle-bisectors
(M ∈ BC, N ∈ CA, P ∈ AB). Find the measure of angle BAC so that P M is perpen-
dicular to NM.

Solution

Figure 3:

Let we sign that ∠BAC = ∠A, ∠ABC = ∠B, ∠BCA = ∠C

Draw a line parallel to BC, intersecting M P and M N at D and E. Apply Ceve Theorem
for CP , BN , AM , we have that
P A M B CN
· · =1
P B M C AN
Other hand, we hnow that follow Thales Theorem have
PA DA CN MC
= , =
PB BM AN AE
Therefore
DA M B M C
· · =1
BM M C AE
⇒DA = AE

Then consider right triangle 4M DE at M have DA = AE then AM = 12 DE = AD = AE

because AM be median line.
When 4ADM and 4AM E be a isosceles triangle at A. we conclude that ∠ADM =
∠AM D
Other hand ∠ADM = ∠DM B so that DM be a bisector of ∠AM B.
Similarly, we also have M E be a bisector of ∠AM C.
Consider 4ABM have
1
∠AM B = ∠M AC + ∠M CA = ∠A + ∠C
2
1 1 1
∠AM B = ∠P M O = ∠A + ∠C
2 4 2
we have ∠P OM = ∠AOC (two opposite angles) then

∠M P O + ∠OM P = ∠OAC + ∠OCA

1 1 1 1
⇔ ∠M P O + ∠A + ∠C = ∠A + ∠C
4 2 2 2
1
⇔ ∠M P O = ∠A
4
Similarly proof we also have ∠M N O = 14 ∠A.
Consider triangle 4ABM have F be intersection of two bisector BO and M P therefore
AF also be a bisector then ∠P AF = ∠OAF = 14 ∠A.
1
Consider quadrilateral AP F O have ∠M P O = ∠F P O = ∠OAF = 4
∠A. Moreover
∠F P O and ∠OAF intercept the same art OF .
⇒ Quadrilateral AP F O be a inscribed quadrilateral.
The last proof we consider 4BF M have

∠F BM + ∠F M B + ∠BF M = 180◦
1 1 1
⇒ ∠B + ∠A + ∠C + 180◦ − ∠F P O − ∠P OF = 180◦
2 4 2
1 1 1 1
⇒ ∠B + ∠A + ∠C + 180◦ − ∠A = 180◦
2 4 2 2
1 1
We additon ∠A − ∠A to left hand
2 2
1 3 1 1
⇒ ∠B − ∠A + ∠C + ∠A = 0◦
2 4 2 2
3
⇒ ∠A = 90◦
4
⇒∠A = 120◦