IMO 2001 · Problem 1

Let \(ABC\) be an acute-angled triangle with circumcentre \(O\). Let \(P\) on \(BC\) be the foot of the altitude from \(A\).

Suppose that \(\angle BCA \ge \angle ABC + 30^\circ\).

Prove that \(\angle CAB + \angle COP < 90^\circ\).

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

Solution

Write \[ \alpha=\angle CAB,\qquad \beta=\angle ABC,\qquad \gamma=\angle BCA, \] and let \(R\) be the circumradius and \(M\) the midpoint of \(BC\). Since the triangle is acute, \(P\) lies strictly between \(B\) and \(C\), and \(O\) lies inside the triangle.

The hypothesis gives \[ 30^\circ\le\gamma-\beta<90^\circ, \] so \(\sin(\gamma-\beta)\ge \tfrac12\). Using the right triangles \(ABP,ACP\) and the extended sine rule, we obtain \[ \begin{aligned} BP-PC &=AB\cos\beta-AC\cos\gamma\\ &=2R\bigl(\sin\gamma\cos\beta-\sin\beta\cos\gamma\bigr)\\ &=2R\sin(\gamma-\beta)\ge R. \end{aligned} \] Consequently, \(P\) lies between \(M\) and \(C\), and \[ MP=\frac{BP-PC}{2}\ge\frac R2. \] On the other hand, \[ MC=\frac{BC}{2}=R\sin\alpha<R, \] because \(\alpha<90^\circ\). Therefore \[ PC=MC-MP<\frac R2. \] As \(OM\perp BC\), the right triangle \(OMP\) gives \(OP\ge MP\). Hence \[ OP\ge MP\ge\frac R2>PC. \]

In triangle \(OCP\), the larger side subtends the larger angle, so \[ \angle COP<\angle OCP. \] Finally, \(\angle BOC=2\alpha\), and \(OB=OC\); thus \[ \angle OCP=\angle OCB =\frac{180^\circ-2\alpha}{2} =90^\circ-\alpha. \] It follows that \[ \boxed{\angle CAB+\angle COP<90^\circ}. \]

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