IMO 2007 · Problem 4

In triangle \(ABC\) the bisector of angle \(BCA\) intersects the circumcircle again at \(R\), the perpendicular bisector of \(BC\) at \(P\), and the perpendicular bisector of \(AC\) at \(Q\). The midpoint of \(BC\) is \(K\) and the midpoint of \(AC\) is \(L\). Prove that the triangles \(RPK\) and \(RQL\) have the same area.

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

Solution

Put \(a=BC\), \(b=CA\), and \(\theta=\tfrac12\angle BCA\). Write \(c=\cos\theta\) and \(s=\sin\theta\). Since \(ABC\) is a triangle, \(a,b,c,s\) are all positive.

Choose coordinates with \(C=(0,0)\) and the internal angle bisector as the positive \(x\)-axis. Then we may take \[ A=(bc,bs),\qquad B=(ac,-as), \] so \[ K=\left(\frac{ac}{2},-\frac{as}{2}\right), \qquad L=\left(\frac{bc}{2},\frac{bs}{2}\right). \]

A point \((x,0)\) belongs to the perpendicular bisector of \(BC\) precisely when its distances from \(B\) and \(C\) are equal: \[ x^2=(x-ac)^2+a^2s^2. \] Using \(c^2+s^2=1\), this simplifies to \(2acx=a^2\). Similarly for \(AC\). Hence \[ P=\left(\frac{a}{2c},0\right), \qquad Q=\left(\frac{b}{2c},0\right). \]

Because the circumcircle passes through the origin, its equation has the form \[ x^2+y^2-ux-vy=0. \] Substituting \(A\) and \(B\), and dividing respectively by \(b\) and \(a\), gives \[ uc+vs=b,\qquad uc-vs=a. \] Adding these equations yields \[ u=\frac{a+b}{2c}. \] On the \(x\)-axis, the circle equation becomes \(x(x-u)=0\). Since \(u>0\), its intersection other than \(C\) is therefore \[ R=\left(\frac{a+b}{2c},0\right). \] In particular, \(R\) lies beyond both \(P\) and \(Q\), and \[ RP=\frac{b}{2c},\qquad RQ=\frac{a}{2c}. \]

The perpendicular distances of \(K\) and \(L\) from the common line \(RPQ\) are respectively \(as/2\) and \(bs/2\). Thus, denoting ordinary area by brackets, \[ [RPK] =\frac12\cdot\frac{b}{2c}\cdot\frac{as}{2} =\frac{abs}{8c} =\frac12\cdot\frac{a}{2c}\cdot\frac{bs}{2} =[RQL]. \] All denominators and heights are positive. The calculation also applies when \(a=b\), in which case \(P=Q\). This proves the claim in every case. \(\square\)

The solution was checked against the official IMO shortlist solutions.