IMO 1998 · Problem 5

Let \(I\) be the incenter of triangle \(ABC\). Let the incircle of \(ABC\) touch the sides \(BC\), \(CA\), and \(AB\) at \(K\), \(L\), and \(M\), respectively. The line through \(B\) parallel to \(MK\) meets the lines \(LM\) and \(LK\) at \(R\) and \(S\), respectively. Prove that angle \(RIS\) is acute.

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

Solution

Choose Cartesian coordinates and scale lengths so that \[ I=(0,0),\qquad B=(1,0), \] and write the incircle as \[ x^2+y^2=t. \] Here \(0<t<1\), since the incircle has positive radius and the right triangle \(IMB\) gives \(IM<IB=1\).

If \(M=(x,y)\), the tangency condition \(IM\perp BM\) gives \[ (x,y)\cdot(1-x,-y)=0, \] so \(x=x^2+y^2=t\). The same holds for \(K\). Thus, after reflecting the coordinates if necessary, \[ M=(t,h),\qquad K=(t,-h),\qquad h=\sqrt{t(1-t)}>0. \] Consequently, the line through \(B\) parallel to \(MK\) is \(x=1\).

Write \(L=(u,v)\), so that \[ u^2+v^2=t. \] The contact points \(K,L,M\) are distinct: otherwise two different sides of the triangle would be the same tangent to the incircle. Since the only points of the incircle with first coordinate \(t\) are \(M\) and \(K\), we have \(u\ne t\). In particular, both intersections defining \(R\) and \(S\) exist uniquely.

Let \[ R=(1,p),\qquad S=(1,q). \] Using the equations of the lines \(LM\) and \(LK\), respectively, gives \[ p=\frac{(1-u)h-(1-t)v}{t-u}, \qquad q=\frac{-(1-u)h-(1-t)v}{t-u}. \] Therefore, using \(h^2=t(1-t)\) and \(v^2=t-u^2\), \[ \begin{aligned} pq &=\frac{(1-t)^2v^2-(1-u)^2h^2}{(t-u)^2}\\ &=\frac{(1-t)\bigl((1-t)(t-u^2)-t(1-u)^2\bigr)} {(t-u)^2}\\ &=\frac{-(1-t)(t-u)^2}{(t-u)^2}\\ &=t-1. \end{aligned} \] In particular, \(pq<0\), so \(p\ne q\); hence \(I,R,S\) are not collinear. Finally, \[ \overrightarrow{IR}\cdot\overrightarrow{IS} =(1,p)\cdot(1,q)=1+pq=t>0. \] Thus the angle between \(IR\) and \(IS\) is acute, as required. \(\square\)

The solution was checked against Evan Chen's published IMO solution notes.