IMO 2004 · Problem 5

In a convex quadrilateral \(ABCD\) the diagonal \(BD\) does not bisect the angles \(ABC\) and \(CDA\). The point \(P\) lies inside \(ABCD\) and satisfies \[ \angle PBC=\angle DBA \quad\text{and}\quad \angle PDC=\angle BDA. \] Prove that \(ABCD\) is a cyclic quadrilateral if and only if \(AP=CP\).

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

Solution

Since \(P\) is inside the quadrilateral, the given equalities also imply \[ \angle PBA=\angle DBC,\qquad \angle PDA=\angle BDC. \] Thus interchanging \(A\) and \(C\) preserves the hypotheses.

Moreover, \(P\) cannot lie on \(BD\): otherwise the first given equality would make \(BD\) bisect \(\angle ABC\). Hence, interchanging \(A\) and \(C\) if necessary, we may assume that \(P\) lies strictly inside triangle \(ABD\).

Set \[ \alpha=\angle ABD,\quad \beta=\angle BDA,\quad \gamma=\angle DBC,\quad \delta=\angle BDC. \] The hypotheses give \[ \angle PBD=\alpha-\gamma>0,\qquad \angle PDB=\beta-\delta>0, \] and \[ \angle ABP=\gamma,\qquad \angle ADP=\delta. \] Consequently, \[ 0<\gamma+\delta<\alpha+\beta<\pi. \tag{1} \]

We first prove that \[ \sin\angle BPA=\sin\angle CPD. \tag{2} \] Define \[ x=\pi-\angle BPA,\qquad y=\pi-\angle APD,\qquad u=\angle CPD,\qquad v=\angle BPC. \] Because \(P\) is inside triangle \(ABD\), and the segment \(PC\) crosses the interior of \(BD\), all four angles are positive and \[ x+y=u+v=\angle BPD<\pi. \] The sine rule in triangles \(ABP,ADP,ABD,BCD,CDP,CBP\) gives \[ \frac{\sin x}{\sin y} =\frac{AB\sin\gamma}{AD\sin\delta} =\frac{\sin\beta\sin\gamma}{\sin\alpha\sin\delta} =\frac{CD\sin\beta}{BC\sin\alpha} =\frac{\sin u}{\sin v}. \] Writing \(S=x+y=u+v\), we therefore have \[ 0=\sin x\sin(S-u)-\sin u\sin(S-x) =\sin S\sin(x-u). \] Since \(0<S<\pi\) and \(-\pi<x-u<\pi\), this forces \(x=u\), proving (2).

Now apply the sine rule in triangles \(ABP\) and \(CDP\), using (2): \[ \frac{AP}{CP} = \frac{AB\sin\gamma/\sin\angle BPA} {CD\sin\beta/\sin\angle CPD} = \frac{AB\sin\gamma}{CD\sin\beta}. \] The sine rule in triangles \(ABD\) and \(BCD\) also gives \[ AB=\frac{BD\sin\beta}{\sin(\alpha+\beta)}, \qquad CD=\frac{BD\sin\gamma}{\sin(\gamma+\delta)}. \] Hence \[ \boxed{\frac{AP}{CP} =\frac{\sin(\gamma+\delta)}{\sin(\alpha+\beta)}}. \tag{3} \]

By (1), the two arguments in (3) are distinct and lie in \((0,\pi)\). Their sines are equal exactly when their sum is \(\pi\). Thus \[ AP=CP \iff \alpha+\beta+\gamma+\delta=\pi. \] Finally, \[ \angle BAD=\pi-(\alpha+\beta),\qquad \angle BCD=\pi-(\gamma+\delta), \] so the last condition is equivalent to \[ \angle BAD+\angle BCD=\pi. \] For a convex quadrilateral, this is precisely the criterion for cyclicity. This proves both directions. \(\square\)

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