IMO 1983 · Problem 2

Let \(A\) be one of the two distinct points of intersection of two unequal coplanar circles \(C_1\) and \(C_2\) with centers \(O_1\) and \(O_2\), respectively. One of the common tangents to the circles touches \(C_1\) at \(P_1\) and \(C_2\) at \(P_2\), while the other touches \(C_1\) at \(Q_1\) and \(C_2\) at \(Q_2\). Let \(M_1\) be the midpoint of \(P_1Q_1\),and \(M_2\) be the midpoint of \(P_2Q_2\). Prove that \(\angle O_1AO_2=\angle M_1AM_2\).

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

Solution

Let the radii be \(r,s>0\), and put \(d=O_1O_2\) and \(\delta=r-s\). Since the circles have two distinct intersection points, \(d>0\), and neither intersection lies on the line of centers. Thus the triangle \(O_1AO_2\) is nondegenerate, giving \[ |\delta|<d<r+s. \] Choose coordinates \[ O_1=(0,0),\qquad O_2=(d,0),\qquad A=(a,b), \] where \(b\ne0\). The circle equations give \[ a^2+b^2=r^2,\qquad (a-d)^2+b^2=s^2, \] and hence \[ 2a=\frac{d^2+r^2-s^2}{d}. \]

We first determine \(M_1,M_2\). Each common tangent has both centers on the same side: otherwise the circles would lie in opposite closed half-planes and could intersect only at their point of tangency.

For either common tangent, let \(\mathbf n=(n_x,n_y)\) be the unit normal pointing from the centers toward the tangent. Its tangency points are \[ O_1+r\mathbf n,\qquad O_2+s\mathbf n. \] Their difference is perpendicular to \(\mathbf n\), so \[ 0=\bigl((d,0)+(s-r)\mathbf n\bigr)\cdot\mathbf n =dn_x+s-r. \] Consequently, \[ n_x=\frac{\delta}{d},\qquad n_y=\pm\sqrt{1-\frac{\delta^2}{d^2}}. \] The two signs give the two common tangents. Averaging the corresponding tangency points therefore yields \[ M_1=(u,0),\qquad M_2=(v,0), \quad\text{where}\quad u=\frac{r\delta}{d},\qquad v=d+\frac{s\delta}{d}. \] In particular, \[ u+v=\frac{d^2+r^2-s^2}{d}=2a, \qquad v-u=\frac{d^2-\delta^2}{d}>0. \] Thus \(A\) lies on the perpendicular bisector of \(M_1M_2\). Write \(\ell=AM_1=AM_2\). Using \(2a=u+v\), we obtain \[ \begin{aligned} \ell^2 &=(a-u)^2+b^2\\ &=r^2-2au+u^2\\ &=r^2-uv\\ &=r^2-r\delta-\frac{rs\delta^2}{d^2}\\ &=\frac{rs(d^2-\delta^2)}{d^2}. \end{aligned} \]

Finally, let \[ \theta=\angle O_1AO_2,\qquad \phi=\angle M_1AM_2. \] The cosine rule in the two triangles gives \[ \begin{aligned} \cos\phi &=1-\frac{(v-u)^2}{2\ell^2}\\ &=1-\frac{d^2-\delta^2}{2rs}\\ &=\frac{r^2+s^2-d^2}{2rs}\\ &=\cos\theta. \end{aligned} \] Both triangles are nondegenerate because \(b\ne0\) and their base endpoints are distinct. Hence \(\theta,\phi\in(0,\pi)\), where cosine is injective. Therefore \[ \boxed{\angle O_1AO_2=\angle M_1AM_2}. \]

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