IMO 2019 · Problem 6

Let \(I\) be the incentre of acute triangle \(ABC\) with \(AB\ne AC\). The incircle \(\omega\) of \(ABC\) is tangent to sides \(BC\), \(CA\), and \(AB\) at \(D\), \(E\), and \(F\), respectively. The line through \(D\) perpendicular to \(EF\) meets \(\omega\) again at \(R\). Line \(AR\) meets \(\omega\) again at \(P\). The circumcircles of triangles \(PCE\) and \(PBF\) meet again at \(Q\).

Prove that lines \(DI\) and \(PQ\) meet on the line through \(A\) perpendicular to \(AI\).

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

Solution

We prove the incidence by finding the radical axis of the two circumcircles. There is a genuine tangency degeneration concerning the definition of \(Q\), which we address at the end.

Normalize the incircle to \[ \omega:\ x^2+y^2=1,\qquad I=(0,0), \] and choose coordinates so that \[ E=(c,s),\qquad F=(c,-s),\qquad A=(1/c,0), \] where \(c,s>0\) and \(c^2+s^2=1\). Indeed, the tangents at \(E,F\) have equations \(cx+sy=1\) and \(cx-sy=1\).

Put \[ m=CE=CD,\qquad n=BF=BD,\qquad U=m+n=BC. \] The unit directions along \(EC\) and \(FB\) give \[ C=(c-ms,s+mc),\qquad B=(c-ns,-s-nc). \] Since \(BC=U\), \[ U^2=s^2(m-n)^2+(2s+cU)^2 =U^2+4s(s+cU-smn). \] Consequently, \[ smn=s+cU. \] Using \(BD=n\) and \(DC=m\), we obtain \[ D=\frac{mB+nC}{U} =\left(c-\frac{2smn}{U},\,\frac{s(n-m)}U\right) =(-d,e), \] where \[ d=c+\frac{2s}{U}>c,\qquad e=\frac{s(n-m)}U. \] Here \(d^2+e^2=1\). Moreover, \(e\ne0\): since \(AE=AF\), the assumption \(AB\ne AC\) is equivalent to \(m\ne n\).

Because \(EF\) is vertical, the other intersection of the horizontal line through \(D\) with \(\omega\) is \[ R=(d,e). \] Set \[ K=1+c^2-2cd=(d-c)^2+e^2>0. \] Substituting \(A+t(R-A)\) into \(x^2+y^2=1\) gives the two roots \[ t=1,\qquad t=\frac{s^2}{K}. \] Thus \(P=(p,q)\), where \[ p=\frac{2c-(1+c^2)d}{K},\qquad q=\frac{s^2e}{K}. \tag{1} \] Since \(s^2-K=2c(d-c)>0\), these roots are distinct. Also, \[ p-c=\frac{s^2(c-d)}K<0. \tag{2} \] In particular, \(P\ne E,F\); hence \(PCE\) and \(PBF\) are noncollinear triples, because \(CE\) and \(BF\) are tangents to \(\omega\).

We now determine their circumcircles. Define \[ L_\pm(x,y) =(cq\pm sp)x+(1-cp\pm sq)y-q\mp s. \] Using \(p^2+q^2=c^2+s^2=1\), direct substitution gives \[ L_+(E)=L_+(P)=0,\qquad L_-(F)=L_-(P)=0. \] Furthermore, the displayed coordinates of \(B,C\) give \[ L_+(C)=m(c-p),\qquad L_-(B)=n(p-c), \] while \[ |C|^2-1=m^2,\qquad |B|^2-1=n^2. \] Therefore the two circumcircles have equations \[ \Gamma_C:\quad x^2+y^2-1+\frac{m}{p-c}L_+(x,y)=0, \] \[ \Gamma_B:\quad x^2+y^2-1-\frac{n}{p-c}L_-(x,y)=0. \] Their left-hand sides are the corresponding power functions. Subtracting them shows that their radical axis is \[ mL_+(x,y)+nL_-(x,y)=0. \] Since \(s(m-n)/U=-e\), division by \(U\) simplifies this to \[ (cq-ep)x+(1-cp-eq)y+e-q=0. \tag{3} \]

Substitution of (1), using \(d^2+e^2=1\), yields \[ (cq-ep,\ 1-cp-eq,\ e-q) =\frac{d-c}{K} \bigl((1+c^2)e,\ s^2d,\ -2ce\bigr). \] Hence the radical axis is the line \[ (1+c^2)ex+s^2dy-2ce=0. \tag{4} \] Its \(y\)-coefficient is nonzero, so the circles are distinct. When their second common point \(Q\ne P\) is as stipulated in the statement, (4) is precisely \(PQ\).

On the other hand, \(DI\) has equation \[ ex+dy=0. \tag{5} \] Subtracting \(s^2\) times (5) from (4) gives \[ 2ce(cx-1)=0. \] Because \(c>0\) and \(e\ne0\), the unique intersection is \[ X=\left(\frac1c,-\frac{e}{cd}\right). \] Its first coordinate equals that of \(A\). Thus \(AX\) is perpendicular to the horizontal line \(AI\), proving the required incidence.

For completeness, the tangency degeneration cannot be ruled out from the triangle assumptions alone. In the preceding normalization, take \[ c=\frac{\sqrt6}{4},\qquad s=\frac{\sqrt{10}}4,\qquad m=\sqrt{15},\qquad n=\frac{\sqrt{15}}3. \] Since \(AE=AF=s/c=n\), the resulting triangle has \[ AB:AC:BC=1:2:2, \] so it is acute and satisfies \(AB\ne AC\). Substitution into the circle equations above gives the centers and radii \[ O_C=\left(-\frac{3\sqrt6}{4},\frac{\sqrt{10}}4\right), \qquad r_C=\sqrt6, \] \[ O_B=\left(\frac{\sqrt6}{6},-\frac{\sqrt{10}}2\right), \qquad r_B=\frac{\sqrt6}{3}. \] Their center distance is \[ O_CO_B=\frac{4\sqrt6}{3}=r_C+r_B. \] Thus the circles are externally tangent at \(P\), and there is no distinct second point \(Q\).

Accordingly, the literal construction presupposes the distinct second intersection stipulated in the statement. To include the tangent degeneration, \(PQ\) must be interpreted as the common tangent. That tangent is the radical axis, so equations (4)–(5) prove the same incidence in this extended interpretation as well.

The solution was checked against the official IMO shortlist solutions.