IMO 2000 · Problem 1

\(AB\) is tangent to the circles \(CAMN\) and \(NMBD\). \(M\) lies between \(C\) and \(D\) on the line \(CD\), and \(CD\) is parallel to \(AB\). The chords \(NA\) and \(CM\) meet at \(P\); the chords \(NB\) and \(MD\) meet at \(Q\). The rays \(CA\) and \(DB\) meet at \(E\). Prove that \(PE = QE\).

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

Solution

We will prove that \(M\) is the midpoint of \(PQ\) and that \(EM\perp CD\).

If \(N=M\), then \(P=Q=M\), and the conclusion is immediate. Hence assume \(N\ne M\).

Let \(T\) be the midpoint of \(AB\). Since \(AB\) is tangent to the two circles at \(A\) and \(B\), the powers of \(T\) with respect to them are \[ TA^2=TB^2. \] Thus \(T\) lies on their radical axis, which is the common chord line \(MN\).

The point \(N\) lies on neither \(AB\) nor \(CD\): tangency excludes the former, while the intersections of the two circles with \(CD\) are respectively \(C,M\) and \(M,D\), excluding the latter. Consequently, the homothety with centre \(N\) taking \(AB\) to \(CD\) takes \(A,B,T\) to \(P,Q,M\), respectively. Since \(T\) is the midpoint of \(AB\), \(M\) is the midpoint of \(PQ\).

Now reflect \(M\) in \(AB\), obtaining \(R\), and let \(F\) be the midpoint of \(MR\). Thus \(F\in AB\) and \(MR\perp AB\).

Let \(U\) be the midpoint of \(CM\). The perpendicular to \(AB\) through \(A\) passes through the centre of circle \(CAMN\). Since \(CM\parallel AB\), this perpendicular bisects the chord \(CM\), so it passes through \(U\).

Let \(X\) be the midpoint of \(CR\). Applying the midpoint theorem in triangle \(CMR\) gives \[ FX\parallel CM,\qquad UX\parallel MR. \] The first relation places \(X\) on \(AB\); the second places it on \(AU\). Therefore \(X=A\), so \(A\) is the midpoint of \(CR\). The same argument in the other circle shows that \(B\) is the midpoint of \(DR\).

Hence \(R\) lies on both rays \(CA\) and \(DB\), so \(R=E\). It follows that \[ EM\perp AB\parallel CD. \] Thus \(EM\) is the perpendicular bisector of \(PQ\), proving \[ \boxed{PE=QE}. \]

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