IMO 2006 · Problem 1

Let \(ABC\) be a triangle with incentre \(I\). A point \(P\) in the interior of the triangle satisfies \[ \angle PBA+\angle PCA=\angle PBC+\angle PCB. \] Show that \(AP\ge AI\), and that equality holds if and only if \(P=I\).

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

Solution

Write \(\alpha=\angle BAC\), \(\beta=\angle ABC\), and \(\gamma=\angle ACB\). Since \(P\) is inside the triangle, \[ \angle PBA+\angle PBC=\beta,\qquad \angle PCA+\angle PCB=\gamma. \] Combining these with the hypothesis gives \[ \angle PBC+\angle PCB=\frac{\beta+\gamma}{2}. \] Consequently, \[ \angle BPC =180^\circ-\frac{\beta+\gamma}{2} =90^\circ+\frac{\alpha}{2} =\angle BIC. \] Because \(P\) and \(I\) lie on the same side of \(BC\), the converse of the inscribed-angle theorem shows that \(P\) lies on the circle \(\Gamma\) through \(B,C,I\). This is also immediate if \(P=I\).

We identify the centre of \(\Gamma\). Let \(D\) be the midpoint of the arc \(BC\) not containing \(A\) on the circumcircle of \(ABC\). The equal arcs \(BD\) and \(DC\) give \[ DB=DC,\qquad \angle BAD=\angle DAC=\frac{\alpha}{2}. \] Thus \(AD\) contains \(I\). Moreover, \(D\) lies on the opposite side of \(BC\) from \(A\), so the points occur in the order \(A,I,D\).

The inscribed-angle theorem gives \(\angle DBC=\angle DAC=\alpha/2\). Hence \[ \angle DBI =\angle DBC+\angle CBI =\frac{\alpha+\beta}{2}. \] On the other hand, using triangle \(ABI\) and the order \(A,I,D\), \[ \angle BID =180^\circ-\angle BIA =\frac{\alpha+\beta}{2}. \] Triangle \(BDI\) is therefore isosceles, with \(DB=DI\). Together with \(DB=DC\), this proves that \(D\) is the centre of \(\Gamma\). In particular, \[ DP=DI. \]

The triangle inequality now yields \[ AP\ge AD-DP=AD-DI=AI. \] Equality holds only when \(P\) lies on the segment \(AD\). Since \(I\) also lies on that segment and \(DP=DI\), this forces \(P=I\). Conversely, \(P=I\) satisfies the angle condition because \(BI\) and \(CI\) are angle bisectors, and gives \(AP=AI\).

The solution was checked against the official IMO shortlist solutions.