IMO 1970 · Problem 1

Let \(M\) be a point on the side \(AB\) of \(\triangle ABC\). Let \(r_1,r_2\) and \(r\) be the radii of the inscribed circles of triangles \(AMC,BMC\) and \(ABC\). Let \(q_1,q_2\) and \(q\) be the radii of the escribed circles of the same triangles that lie in the angle \(ACB\). Prove that \[ \frac{r_1}{q_1}\cdot\frac{r_2}{q_2}=\frac{r}{q}. \]

Official text of the problem. Official problem paper (PDF)

Solution

We first establish a general identity. In a nondegenerate triangle \(XYZ\), let the angles at \(X,Y\) be \(\alpha,\beta\), let the inradius be \(\rho\), and let the exradius opposite \(Z\) be \(\eta\). Then \[ \frac{\rho}{\eta} =\tan\frac{\alpha}{2}\tan\frac{\beta}{2}. \tag{1} \]

Indeed, let the incircle and the excircle opposite \(Z\) touch \(XY\) at \(D\) and \(E\), respectively. Both tangency points lie between \(X\) and \(Y\). The incenter lies on the internal angle bisectors, so the right triangles formed with \(D\) give \[ XD=\rho\cot\frac{\alpha}{2}, \qquad YD=\rho\cot\frac{\beta}{2}. \] The excenter lies on the external angle bisectors at \(X,Y\), which make angles \(90^\circ-\alpha/2\) and \(90^\circ-\beta/2\) with the segment \(XY\). Thus the corresponding right triangles give \[ XE=\eta\tan\frac{\alpha}{2}, \qquad YE=\eta\tan\frac{\beta}{2}. \] Adding the lengths along \(XY\), we obtain \[ \rho\left(\cot\frac{\alpha}{2}+\cot\frac{\beta}{2}\right) = \eta\left(\tan\frac{\alpha}{2}+\tan\frac{\beta}{2}\right). \] Since both half-angle tangents are positive, division and simplification prove (1).

Now put \[ \alpha=\angle CAB,\qquad \beta=\angle CBA,\qquad \theta=\angle AMC. \] The specified excircles are those opposite \(C\). Because \(A,M,B\) are collinear with \(M\) between \(A\) and \(B\), \[ \angle CAM=\alpha,\qquad \angle CBM=\beta,\qquad \angle BMC=180^\circ-\theta. \] Applying (1) to \(AMC\) and \(BMC\) therefore gives \[ \frac{r_1}{q_1} =\tan\frac{\alpha}{2}\tan\frac{\theta}{2}, \] and \[ \frac{r_2}{q_2} =\tan\frac{\beta}{2} \tan\left(90^\circ-\frac{\theta}{2}\right) =\tan\frac{\beta}{2}\cot\frac{\theta}{2}. \] Multiplying, and applying (1) once more to \(ABC\), yields \[ \boxed{\frac{r_1}{q_1}\cdot\frac{r_2}{q_2} =\tan\frac{\alpha}{2}\tan\frac{\beta}{2} =\frac{r}{q}}. \]

The existence of all the stated circles implicitly requires \(ABC\) to be nondegenerate and \(M\ne A,B\). At either endpoint one subtriangle is degenerate and its stated circles do not exist, so the original expression is undefined. Every configuration for which the quantities are defined is covered above, including right or obtuse triangles.

The solution was checked against John Scholes' IMO solution archive (Kalva).