IMO 1996 · Problem 2

Let \(P\) be a point inside triangle \(ABC\) such that \[ \angle APB-\angle ACB=\angle APC-\angle ABC. \] Let \(D,E\) be the incenters of triangles \(APB,APC\), respectively. Show that \(AP,BD,CE\) meet at a point.

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

Solution

Let the ray \(AP\) meet the circumcircle of \(ABC\) again at \(K\). Since \(P\) is inside \(ABC\), this ray crosses the interior of \(BC\). Consequently, \(K\) lies on the open arc \(BC\) not containing \(A\), and the points occur in the order \(A,P,K\).

Put \(\beta=\angle ABC\) and \(\gamma=\angle ACB\). By the inscribed-angle theorem, \[ \angle BKP=\angle BKA=\gamma, \qquad \angle CKP=\angle CKA=\beta. \] Since the rays \(PA\) and \(PK\) are opposite, the angle sums in triangles \(BPK\) and \(CPK\) give \[ \angle PBK=\angle APB-\gamma, \qquad \angle PCK=\angle APC-\beta. \] The hypothesis therefore says that \[ \angle PBK=\angle PCK=\delta \] for some \(0<\delta<180^\circ\).

Applying the sine rule to these two triangles yields \[ \frac{PB}{\sin\gamma} =\frac{PK}{\sin\delta} =\frac{PC}{\sin\beta}. \] Applying it also to triangle \(ABC\), we obtain \[ \frac{PB}{PC} =\frac{\sin\gamma}{\sin\beta} =\frac{AB}{AC}, \] and hence \[ \frac{AB}{PB}=\frac{AC}{PC}. \tag{1} \]

Because \(D\) and \(E\) are the respective incenters, \(BD\) and \(CE\) are the internal angle bisectors at \(B\) in triangle \(ABP\) and at \(C\) in triangle \(ACP\). Let them meet the segment \(AP\) at \(X\) and \(Y\), respectively. Both intersections lie strictly between \(A\) and \(P\). The angle bisector theorem and (1) give \[ \frac{AX}{XP} =\frac{AB}{PB} =\frac{AC}{PC} =\frac{AY}{YP}. \] Together with \(AX+XP=AY+YP=AP\), this implies \(AX=AY\), so \(X=Y\).

Thus \(AP,BD,CE\) meet at this common point. \(\square\)

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