IMO 2020 · Problem 1

Consider the convex quadrilateral \(ABCD\). The point \(P\) is in the interior of \(ABCD\). The following ratio equalities hold: \[ \angle PAD:\angle PBA:\angle DPA =1:2:3 =\angle CBP:\angle BAP:\angle BPC. \] Prove that the following three lines meet in a point: the internal bisectors of angles \(\angle ADP\) and \(\angle PCB\) and the perpendicular bisector of segment \(AB\).

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

Solution

Let \[ \alpha=\angle PAD,\qquad \beta=\angle CBP. \] The given equalities imply \[ \angle PBA=2\alpha,\quad \angle DPA=3\alpha, \qquad \angle BAP=2\beta,\quad \angle BPC=3\beta. \] Consequently, \[ \angle ADP=180^\circ-4\alpha,\qquad \angle PCB=180^\circ-4\beta, \] so \(0<\alpha,\beta<45^\circ\).

Let \(\omega\) be the circumcircle of triangle \(ABP\), and let \(O\) be its center. We prove that \(O\) is the required common point.

Because \(P\) is inside the convex quadrilateral, the ray \(AP\) lies strictly inside \(\angle DAB\). Thus \(B\) and \(D\) lie on opposite sides of the line \(AP\). Similarly, \(A\) and \(C\) lie on opposite sides of the line \(BP\).

By the inscribed-angle theorem, the arc \(AP\) of \(\omega\) not containing \(B\) has measure \[ 2\angle ABP=4\alpha<180^\circ. \] It is therefore the minor arc. Hence \(O\) and \(B\) lie on the same side of the chord \(AP\), and \[ \angle AOP=4\alpha. \] In particular, \(O\) and \(D\) lie on opposite sides of \(AP\). Together with \[ \angle AOP+\angle ADP =4\alpha+(180^\circ-4\alpha)=180^\circ, \] this shows that \(A,D,P,O\) are concyclic.

Now \(OA=OP\). On this latter circle, \(O\) therefore bisects the arc \(AP\) not containing \(D\): it lies on that arc because \(O\) and \(D\) are on opposite sides of \(AP\), and the equal chords \(OA\) and \(OP\) give equal subarcs. The inscribed-angle theorem then gives \[ \angle ADO=\angle ODP. \] Since \(O\) lies on the arc \(AP\) not containing \(D\), the ray \(DO\) lies inside \(\angle ADP\). Thus \(DO\) is its internal bisector.

The same argument applies to the chord \(BP\) of \(\omega\). Indeed, its arc not containing \(A\) has measure \[ 2\angle BAP=4\beta<180^\circ. \] Thus \(O\) and \(A\) lie on the same side of \(BP\), whereas \(C\) lies on the opposite side, and \[ \angle BOP+\angle PCB =4\beta+(180^\circ-4\beta)=180^\circ. \] Therefore \(B,C,P,O\) are concyclic. Since \(OB=OP\), the point \(O\) is the midpoint of the arc \(BP\) not containing \(C\). Consequently, \(CO\) is the internal bisector of \(\angle PCB\).

Finally, \(OA=OB\), so \(O\) lies on the perpendicular bisector of \(AB\). All three specified lines therefore pass through \(O\). \(\square\)

The solution was checked against the official IMO shortlist solutions.