Fix a circle $\Gamma$, a line $\ell$ to tangent $\Gamma$, and another circle $\Omega$ disjoint from $\ell$ such that $\Gamma$ and $\Omega$ lie on opposite sides of $\ell$. The tangents to $\Gamma$ from a variable point $X$ on $\Omega$ meet $\ell$ at $Y$ and $Z$. Prove that, as $X$ varies over $\Omega$, the circumcircle of $XYZ$ is tangent to two fixed circles.
Problem
Source: RMM 2018 Problem 6
Tags: geometry, RMM 2018
25.02.2018 13:58
Let $\ell$ be tangent at $T$, and let the two tangents from $X$ touch at $A$ and $B$. The key point is to invert around $\Gamma$. Then the inverted picture can be interpreted as follows: Points $\Omega$ and $T$ are fixed. Chord $\overline{AB}$ varies inside $\Gamma$, and $X^\ast Y^\ast Z^\ast$ is the medial triangle of $\triangle TAB$. Thus $(X^\ast Y^\ast Z^\ast)$ is the nine-point circle of $\triangle TAB$, but $X^\ast$ is constrained to lie on some circle $\Omega^\ast$. Since $T$ is fixed, and this is equivalent to the nine-point center of $\triangle TAB$ moving along a fixed circle, say with center $S$ and radius $r$. Then the two circles centered at $S$ with radius $R/2 \pm r$ are tangent to $\Gamma^\ast$. Done.
25.02.2018 14:08
Incidentally the same problem was discussed in this private forum on 15th February 2018. : https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c538691h1579050_apmo_and_imotc_marathon Let me copy the problem here Quote: PROBLEM 23
Consider a circle $\omega$ which is tangent to line $\ell$ and any circle $\Omega$. Let the point $V$ is a variable point on $\Omega$ and the tangents to $\omega$ through $V$ meet $\ell$ at $A$, $B$. Consider the circumcircle $\pi(V)$ of $VAB$. Then the circles $\pi(V)$ are tangent to two different circles $\tau_1$, $\tau_2$ while $V$ moving on $\Omega$. Moreover $\tau_1$, $\tau_2$ are both tangent to $\Omega$.
25.02.2018 14:09
See here
25.02.2018 14:26
My solution (still posting even though it is almost the same as solutions in the above link) Consider an inversion $\Phi$ around $\Gamma$. $\ell$ touches $\Gamma$ at $L$, and the chord of contact of $X$ wrt $\Gamma$ is $MN$. Then the circumcircle of $XYZ$ goes to the ninepoint circle of $LMN$ under $\Phi$. The midpoint of $MN$ moves on a fixed circle, and $L$ is fixed, so the centroid of $LMN$ moves on a fixed circle. Now the circumcenter is fixed, so the Euler line of $LMN$ gives that the ninepoint center is on a fixed circle, with center at a point $G$. The radius of the ninepoint circle is also fixed, so the ninepoint circle is tangent to two circles centered at $G$ with radii $|R/2 \pm R'|$ where $R$ is the radius of $\Gamma$ and $R'$ is the radius of the locus of the nine-point center of $LMN$. Remark : This kind of homothety can also be used in the solution of USAMO 2015 P2.
25.02.2018 21:38
Let $\Gamma$ have center $O$ and radius $r$. Suppose that $\Gamma$ is tangent to $\ell$ at $A$ and that the tangents from $X$ to $\Gamma$ meet $\Gamma$ at $B$ and $C$. Let $M$ be the midpoint of $OA$. We invert about $\Gamma$, letting $P'$ denote the image of $P$. We have that $X'$ is the midpoint of $BC$ and that $Y'$ and $Z'$ are the midpoints of $AB$ and $AC$. Hence, the circumcircle of $XYZ$ maps to the nine point circle of $ABC$. Let $N$ be the nine point center of $ABC$. Note that $OMNX'$ is a parallelogram by say, complex numbers, so as $X'$ varies around $\Omega'$, $N$ moves around a fixed circle. The circumcircles of $X'Y'Z'$ are thus circles of radius $\frac r2$ whose centers lie on a fixed circle, from which the problem follows.
26.02.2018 00:13
This problem was also found by mosquitall sometimes back
17.07.2018 19:10
Consider an invertion around Γ,thenX',Y',Z'are midpoints of three chords.The radius of circleX'Y'Z'is invariable,their locus are tangent with two certain circles.
04.04.2019 01:38
[asy][asy] unitsize(0.05inches); /* Geogebra to Asymptote conversion, documentation at artofproblemsolving.com/Wiki go to User:Azjps/geogebra */ import graph; size(0cm); real labelscalefactor = 0.5; /* changes label-to-point distance */ pen dps = linewidth(0.7) + fontsize(10); defaultpen(dps); /* default pen style */ pen dotstyle = black; /* point style */ real xmin = -27.00662345680965, xmax = 41.40148523790288, ymin = -61.64123166909056, ymax = 41.19895840196104; /* image dimensions */ /* draw figures */ draw(circle((-0.11550857190276709,2.0557166659751367), 12.657400768257721), linewidth(2)); draw((xmin, -5.3708289230665205*xmin + 70.58438187626555)--(xmax, -5.3708289230665205*xmax + 70.58438187626555), linewidth(2)); /* line */ draw(circle((28.193867797617692,4.773185623160206), 4.78341650017635), linewidth(2)); draw((xmin, -0.2422271534180963*xmin + 15.051175558769039)--(xmax, -0.2422271534180963*xmax + 15.051175558769039), linewidth(2)); /* line */ draw((xmin, 0.6187134482498106*xmin-12.757006821049433)--(xmax, 0.6187134482498106*xmax-12.757006821049433), linewidth(2)); /* line */ draw(circle((20.555364330309267,5.663986053288704), 11.847994325866336), linewidth(2)); draw(circle((10.926002563100468,3.9831024520805025), 6.328700384128869), linewidth(2)); draw(circle((5.655325906081134,2.6096696512432542), 0.9750940642936663), linewidth(2)); draw((2.8642853802655477,14.357367864530245)--(4.70422875582405,2.8246641744144108), linewidth(2)); draw((4.70422875582405,2.8246641744144108)--(6.544172131382551,-8.708039515701422), linewidth(2)); draw((12.328039042650055,4.37259322130732)--(9.436105587016302,-2.1677231471970497), linewidth(2)); draw((9.436105587016302,-2.1677231471970497)--(6.544172131382551,-8.708039515701422), linewidth(2)); draw((7.596162211457803,9.36498054291878)--(12.328039042650055,4.37259322130732), linewidth(2)); draw((7.596162211457803,9.36498054291878)--(2.8642853802655477,14.357367864530245), linewidth(2)); /* dots and labels */ dot((12.328039042650055,4.37259322130732),dotstyle); label("$P$", (13.411167430316334,3.745518891605774), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((32.29976879467116,7.227294507573188),dotstyle); label("$X$", (32.964485165555004,5.626741880710377), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((10.82813772871732,12.428306579922747),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$Y$", (9.534707937615957,13.037620322637599), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((13.914483533238435,-4.147928733584274),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$Z$", (13.183140401333958,-5.660596053917239), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((2.8642853802655477,14.357367864530245),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$E$", (3.092944368863861,14.804829797251013), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((6.544172131382551,-8.708039515701422),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$F$", (6.9694038615642375,-9.993109604582385), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((4.70422875582405,2.8246641744144108),dotstyle); label("$X'$", (3.3779781550918297,2.26334320322033), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((7.596162211457803,9.36498054291878),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$Y'$", (7.3114444050378005,9.845241916884333), NE * labelscalefactor); dot((9.436105587016302,-2.1677231471970497),linewidth(4pt) + dotstyle); label("$Z'$", (9.42069442312477,-3.437332521339072), NE * labelscalefactor); clip((xmin,ymin)--(xmin,ymax)--(xmax,ymax)--(xmax,ymin)--cycle); /* end of picture */ [/asy][/asy] Let $P$ be the tangency point of $\ell$ and let the tangents from $X$ to $\Gamma$ intersect $\Gamma$ at $E$ and $F$, with $X,Y,Z$ collinear and $W,Z,F$ collinear. We will invert about $\Gamma$. The correct way to think about this is "excircle inversion" for $\triangle XYZ$. As usual, the inverted picture will be quite nice in terms of lengths and homotheties, as is often the case with incircle/excircle inversion. Inverted objects will be denoted with primes. Note that $Y'$ is the midpoint of $PE$, $Z'$ is the midpoint of $PF$, and $X'$ is the midpoint of $EF$. So $(XYZ)$ gets sent to the nine-point circle of $PEF$ (recall that the circumcircle gets sent to the nine point circle of the intouch triangle under incircle inversion). Let $G=\frac{2}{3}X'+\frac{1}{3}P$ be the centroid of $PEF$. Note that it varies on a circle since $X'$ does. We see that a homothety with scale factor $-1/2$ about $G$ sends $\Gamma$ to $\Omega'$, so \[\Omega'=-\frac{1}{2}(\Gamma-G)+G=-\frac{1}{2}\Gamma+\frac{3}{2}G\equiv -\frac{1}{2}\Gamma+K\]where $K$ varies on a circle. So, $\Omega'=\gamma+K$ where $\gamma$ is a fixed circle, and WLOG $K$ varies on the unit circle. This means that $\Omega'$ is tangent to two fixed circles, so inverting back solves the problem. $\blacksquare$
26.06.2020 01:07
Great problem! Solved with a hint from v_Enhance: Assume all angles are directed. Let $A=\overline{XY}\cap\Gamma,$ let $B=\overline{XZ}\cap\Gamma,$ and let $C=\overline{YZ}\cap\Gamma.$ Invert around $\Gamma.$ Then, $A,B,C$ are fixed and $X^{*},Y^{*},Z^{*}$ are the midpoints of $\overline{AB},\overline{BC},\overline{CA}$ respectively. Note that $(X^{*}Y^{*}Z^{*})$ is the nine-point circle of $\triangle ABC,$ so the radius of $(X^{*}Y^{*}Z^{*})$ is always half the radius of $\Gamma.$ Let this value be $r_1.$ $\textbf{Claim: }$ The line tangent to $(X^{*}Y^{*}Z^{*})$ at $X^{*}$ is parallel to $\overline{YZ}.$ $\textbf{Proof: }$ Let $P$ be a point on the line through $X^{*}$ parallel to $\overline{YZ}.$ We have $$\angle PX^{*}Z^{*}=\angle PX^{*}B+\angle BX^{*}Z^{*}=\angle PX^{*}B+\angle BAC,$$$$\angle X^{*}Y^{*}Z^{*}=\angle Z^{*}BX^{*}=\angle CBA.$$But since $\overline{PX^{*}}$ is parallel to the line tangent to $\Gamma,$ we know $\angle PX^{*}B=\angle CBA-\angle BAC.$ Therefore, $$\angle PX^{*}Z^{*}=\angle X^{*}Y^{*}Z^{*},$$as desired. $\blacksquare$ Now let $U$ be the point on $\Omega$ corresponding to $C$ on $\Gamma,$ let $V$ be the point diametrically opposite $U,$ and let $r_2$ be the radius of $\Omega.$ It is easy to see that $(X^{*}Y^{*}Z^{*})$ is tangent to (1) The circle externally tangent to $\Omega$ at $U$ with radius $r_1-r_2$ (2) The circle internally tangent to $\Omega$ at $V$ with radius $r_1+r_2.$ Thus, $(XYZ)$ is tangent to two fixed circles.
15.11.2020 05:01
This is not medium geo @v_Enhance. Let $A=XY\cap \Gamma,B=XZ\cap\Gamma,T=YZ\cap\Gamma$. Let $O$ be the center of $\Gamma$. Invert about $\Gamma$ and let objects $\bullet$ go to $\bullet^\ast$. Observe that $X^\ast$ is the midpoint of $AB$, $Y^\ast$ is the midpoint of $AT$, $Z^\ast$ is the midpoint of $BT$. We seek to show that as $X^\ast$ varies, $(X^\ast Y^\ast Z^\ast)$ is tangent to two constant circles. Let $H$ denote the orthocenter of $\triangle TAB$. Since $T$ is the orthocenter of $\triangle HAB$, homothety at $T$ with factor $2$ takes $(X^\ast Y^\ast Z^\ast)$ to $(HAB)$, which is the reflection of $\Gamma$ over line $AB$. Hence, it suffices to show that as $X^\ast$ varies, the reflection of $\Gamma$ over the line through $X^\ast$ perpendicular to $OX^\ast$ is constant to two fixed circles. Now, let $O_2$ denote the reflection of $O$ over $X^\ast$, it is clear that $O_2$ is the center of the described reflection of $\Gamma$. Moreover, it is clear that $O_2$ moves along a circle as $X^\ast$ does, so it suffices to show that as $O_2$ moves along a particular circle, the circle about $O_2$ with fixed radius is always tangent to some two circles. However, this is trivial; let the fixed radius be $R$ and the center of the circle $O_2$ moves along be $O_3$ with radius $r$, then the first circle is the set of points distance $R-r$ away from $O_3$ and the second circle is the set of points distance $R+r$ from $O_3$.
20.12.2020 07:07
Oops I used geogebra for this Do an inversion centered at $\Gamma$. Let $A, B$ be the points such that $XA$ and $XB$ are tangent to $\Gamma$. From now on, we only refer to the inverted image (so for any point $P$ when we write $P$, we really mean $P^{*}$). Let $O_{1}$ be the center of $\Gamma$, then this means $X$ is the midpoint of $AB$. Furthermore, $\ell$ is the circle tangent to the $\Gamma$ at a point $T$, so then since $Y$ lies on $\Gamma$ and $\angle O_{1}YT = 90$, and also $Y$ lies on $(O_{1}XB)$ so $\angle O_{1}YB = 90$, this means $B, Y, T$ are collinear, and by homothety, $Y$ is the midpoint of $BT$. Similarly, $Z$ is the midpoint of $AT$, so $(XYZ)$ is the nine point circle of $\triangle TAB$. Now, consider $X$ moving around the circle. The radii of the nine point circle is fixed (it's half the radii of $\Gamma$). Furthermore, if $O$ was the center of the nine-point circle, it is well known that $XO || TO_{1}$. Thus, as $X$ moves around a circle, $O$ also moves around a fixed circle. Let $r_{1}$ be the radii of the nine-point circle and $r_{2}$ be the radii of the fixed circle that $O$ moves around, and $P$ the center of the fixed circle. Then, consider the circles with radii $r_{1} -r_{2}, r_{1} + r_{2}$, since for every nine-point circle, when we draw $O$ to $P$ it is a distance of $r_{1} - r_{2}$, and going the other way around it is a distance of $r_{1} + r_{2}$, every nine-point circle are tangent to these two circles, which are fixed. Thus, inverting backs reveals that $(XYZ)$ is always tangent to two fixed circles.
03.10.2021 00:57
Absolutely beautiful. Let $\ell\cap\Gamma=B$ and the tangency points from $X$ be $E$ and $F$. We can then invert around $\Gamma$, where the images of $X,Y,Z$ are the midpoints of $EF,BF,BE$, and hence $(X^*Y^*Z^*)$ is the nine-pt circle of $BEF$, and $X^*$ varies over $\Omega^*$. Set $\Gamma$ to be the unit circle in the complex plane. The nine-pt center $n$ of $BEF$ is situated at $\frac{b+e+f}{2}$, where $\frac{e+f}{2}=x^*$ varies on a circle and $\frac{b}{2}$ is fixed, and therefore $n$ also varies on a circle. This implies the problem as the nine-pt radius is fixed, and our two desired fixed circles indeed exist with center $o_n=o_\Omega^*+\frac{b}{2}$.
05.04.2022 18:26
One of my favorites .I have the same solution but I am still posting it. Let the center of $\Gamma$ be $O$. We invert about $O$. It is now easy to see that $(XYZ)$ goes to the nine-point circle of $(TAB)$. $\textbf{Claim:}$ Take any circle $\Gamma$with Radius $R$ and center $N$ and let $K$ be a point on this circle. Draw a circle of radius $r$ with center $K$, then the two circles centered at $O$ with radius $|R-r|$ and $|R+r|$ are tangent to $\Gamma$. $\textbf{Proof:}$ This is quite obvious but I wrote it this way to make things very clear(I know this is weird but this looks more clean to me). $\blacksquare$ Thus, we are done by the claim if we are able to prove that the nine-point center moves on a fixed circle. Now since $X^{*}$ moves along a fixed, so does the centroid. So by Euler's line, this is the same as saying that the nine-point circle moves on a fixed circle $\blacksquare$
09.04.2022 00:37
Let $W=\ell \cap \Gamma, O$ is the center of $\Gamma.$ Invert wrt $\Gamma$ with same labelings. Let $R,r$ denotes radii of $\Gamma, \Omega.$ Since $XYZ$ is the medial triangle of triangle with circumcircle $\Gamma$ and vertex $W,$ circumcenter of triangle moves along circle $\omega =\mathcal {H}^{3/2}_O\circ \mathcal {H}^{2/3}_W (\Omega).$ Hence $\odot (XYZ)$ tangent to circles concentric with $\omega$ with radii $|R/2\pm r|,$ which are fixed, done.
09.09.2022 15:18
29.12.2022 03:00
I'm surprised that nobody has posted the following true (confirmed using geogebra) statement. I'm not sure how to prove this, but inversion at $\Gamma$ is helpful. Let the external common tangents of $\Gamma$ and $\Omega$ intersect $\ell$ at $P$ and $Q$, and let the internal common tangents of $\Gamma$ and $\Omega$ intersect $\ell$ at $R$ and $S$. Let $\omega_1$ be the circle through $P$ and $Q$ internally tangent to $\Omega$. Let $\omega_2$ be the circle through $R$ and $S$ externally tangent to $\Omega$. Then, the circumcircle of $\triangle XYZ$ is internally tangent to $\omega_1$ and $\omega_2$.
16.08.2023 19:23
Very intuitive-ish geometry problem. Invert about $\Gamma$. Denote by $E$ and $F$ the tangency points of $\overline{XY}$ and $\overline{XZ}$ to $\Gamma$, $K$ and $L$ the images of $Y$ and $Z$, $B$ the tangency point of $\ell$ to $\Gamma$, $P$ the inverse of $X$, and $H$ the orthocenter of triangle $BEF$. Notice foremost that $P$ is the midpoint of $\overline{EF}$ as $P = (OE) \cap (OF)$. $\ell$ inverts to $(OB)$, so by homothety $K, L$ are midpoints of $\overline{BE}, \overline{BF}$. Hence $(PKL)$, the image of $(XYZ)$, is the nine-point circle of $BEF$. It suffices to show that the center $N$ of $(XYZ)$ moves along a circle. To do so, note that $P$ moves along a fixed circle (the image of $\Omega$); As $BH = 2OP$, $H$ moves along a fixed circle by homothety; As $N$ is the midpoint of $\overline{OH}$, $N$ moves along a circle too.
22.08.2023 09:57
Let $A$ and $B$ be the tangency points from $X$ to $\Gamma$ and $C$ be the tangency point of $\ell$. Invert around $\Gamma$. Then, $X^{\ast}$ is the midpoint of $AB$, $Y^{\ast}$ is the midpoint of $AC$, and $Z^{\ast}$ is the midpoint of $BC$. Thus, $(X^{\ast}Y^{\ast}Z^{\ast})$ is the nine-point circle of $\triangle ABC$. Claim: The nine-point center of $\triangle ABC$ moves along a circle. Let $\Gamma$ be the unit circle. Note that $X^{\ast}=\frac{a+b}{2}$ moves along a circle (the inverse of $\Omega$). Furthermore, the nine-point center is $\frac{a+b+c}{2}$, and since $c$ is fixed, this is just $X^{\ast}$ shifted by $c/2$, so it still moves along a circle. Since the center of $(X^{\ast}Y^{\ast}Z^{\ast})$ moves along a circle, and its radius is fixed (half of $(ABC)$), there are two concentric circles centered at the center of the locus of the nine-point center that are always tangent to it, hence done.
22.08.2023 23:21
I need to be less scared of P3/6s. We invert about $\Gamma$: inverted problem statement wrote: Fix a circle $\Gamma$ (with center $O_1$ and radius $R$), a point $A$ on $\Gamma$, and another circle $\Omega$ (with center $O_2$ and radius $r$) inside $\Gamma$. The line through a variable point $X$ on $\Omega$ perpendicular to $O_1X$ meets $\Gamma$ at $Y$ and $Z$. Prove that, as $X$ varies over $\Omega$, the nine point circle of $\triangle AYZ$ is tangent to two fixed circles. Note that the NPC of $\triangle XYZ$ always has radius $\frac{1}{2}R$, and since the orthocenter of $\triangle XYZ$ is $A + 2(X-O_1)$, it is centered at $\frac{1}{2}A - \frac{1}{2}O_1 + X$, which moves on a circle with radius $r$ centered at $\frac{1}{2}A - \frac{1}{2}O_1 + O_2$. Hence, it is clearly tangent to the circles centered at $\frac{1}{2}A - \frac{1}{2}O_1 + O_2$ with radii $\left|r\pm \frac{1}{2}R\right|$.
05.10.2023 04:30
ah yes, so basically inverting is like rolling a die and getting a problem statement, then choosing to reroll the die into a different number that may or may not be easier to use. However this die is infinite so you can only take your chances. Refer to diagram. Invert over $\Gamma$ with radius R, s.t. the inverse of (XYZ) is the ninepointcirc of JKL, and since F moves along the circle inverse of $\Omega$, the centroid of JKL moves along a circle. Since the circumcenter A is fixed, the ninepointcenter of JKL moves along a circle $\omega$ with center W and radius r. Indeed, then the ninepointcirc of JKL is always tangent to the two circles centered at W with radius $R\pm\frac r2$, and inverting back, the inverses of those two circles are then tangent to the original (XYZ).
Attachments:

15.10.2023 15:57
Let $O$ be center of $\Gamma$. Consider inversion around $\Gamma$. Then $\Omega^*$ lies inside $\Gamma$. Let $X$ be a variable point of $\Omega^*$. Let $l$ be line passing through $X$ and perpendicular to $OX$. Let $X_1, X_2$ be intersection of $l, \Gamma$ and let $Y, Z$ are midpoints of $AX_1, AX_2$, respectively. Then we'll prove that the following statement: As $X$ varies over $\Omega^*$, $(XYZ)$ is tangent to two fixed circle. Note that $AYXZ$ is parallelogram. Thus the the radius of $(XYZ)$ is same as the radius of $(AYZ)$. Since $\angle{AZO} + \angle{AYO} = 90^{\circ} + 90^{\circ} = 180^{\circ}$, so the radius of $(AYZ)$ is $\frac{AO}{2}$. Therefore as $X$ varies over $\Omega^*$, the radius of $(XYZ)$ is constant. Let $O_X$ be center of $(XYZ)$. Let $R$ be radius of $\Omega^*$. Claim: As $X$ varies over $\Omega^*$, $O_X$ moves along a circle with radius $R$. Proof: Note that $OZ \perp AX_2$ and $OY \perp AX_1$. Thus $OZ \perp XY$ and $OY \perp XZ$. Hence $O$ is orthocenter of $XYZ$. Let $G$ be centroid of $AX_1X_2$. Then $G$ becomes centroid of $XYZ$. Therefore $O_X, G, O$ are collinear. Since $A, G, X$ are collinear and $\frac{AX}{AG} = \frac{3}{2}$. Since $X$ moves along $\Omega^*$, so $G$ moves along a circle. Note that $\frac{OG}{OO_X} = \frac{2}{3}$ and since $G$ moves along a circle, so $O_X$ moves along a circle with radius $R$. $\blacksquare$ As $X$ varies $\Omega^*$, the radius of $(XYZ)$ is constant and $O_X$ moves along a circle, so $(XYZ)$ moves along a circle. Therefore as $X$ moves along a circle, $(XYZ)$ tangent to two fixed circles with radius $\frac{AO}{2} - R$ and $\frac{AO}{2} + R$. $\blacksquare$
21.10.2023 16:59
Invert about $\Gamma.$ Then $\ell$ becomes a circle tangent to $\Gamma$ at a point $P$ and with half the radius, and $\Omega$ becomes a circle inside $\ell.$ We get that the tangents to $\Gamma$ invert to circles through $X,O$ internally tangent to $\Gamma$ at some points $A,B$ and the circumcircle of $XYZ$ inverts to a circle through $X$ and the intersections $Y,Z$ of the circles through $X,O$ and the circle $\ell.$ We may assume that $A,Y,O,X$ are concyclic and $B,Z,O,X$ are concyclic. Then, we can see that $AO,BO,PO$ are diameters of circles $AYOX,BZOX,OYPZ$ respectively, so $\angle PYO=\angle AYO=90$ and $A,Y,P$ are collinear. Furthermore, since a homothety at $P$ with scale factor $2$ sends circle $OYPZ$ to $\Gamma$ we get that this must send $Y$ to $A,$ so $Y$ is the midpoint of $AP.$ Similarly, $Z$ is the midpoint of $BP,$ and for the same reason $X$ is the midpoint of $AB.$ Therefore, circle $XYZ$ is the nine-point circle of $ABP.$ Next, we will show that the nine-point center of $ABP$ varies on a circle as $X$ varies on $\Omega.$ We do this with complex numbers, letting $\Gamma$ be the unit circle. We get $N_9=\frac{a+b+p}{2}=x+\frac{p}{2},$ and since $p$ is fixed, our claim is proved. From here, notice that the radius of the nine-point circle is also fixed, since it is half of the radius $R$ of $\Gamma.$ To finish, let $K$ be the center of the circle containing the nine-point centers, and suppose this circle has radius $r.$ Then, the nine-point circle is simply tangent to the circles centered at $K$ with radii $\frac{R}{2} \pm r.$ This always works, since $r$ is also the radius of $\Omega,$ and since $\Omega$ is inside $\ell$ we find that $\frac{R}{2}>r.$
11.12.2023 07:08
We invert around $\Gamma$. Let $XY$ and $XZ$ be tangent to $\Gamma$ at $A$ and $B$ respectively. Also, let $\Gamma$ be tangent to $\ell$ at $C$ We can see that by common inversion formulas we have that $XYZ$ is the medial triangle of $ABC$. We can obviously thus see that since the locus of the nine-point centers is a circle that we can just choose the inner circle for this and the outer circle. $\blacksquare$
19.12.2023 05:01
Suppose that lines $XY$, $XZ$, and $YZ$ touch $\Gamma$ at , , and , respectively. Suppose that , , and are the inverses of $X$, $Y$, and $Z$, respectively, with respect to $\Gamma$, which are the midpoints of , , and , respectively. Then, the circumcircle of $XYZ$ maps to the nine-point circle of under this inversion. Since moves along a fixed circle and $T$ is fixed, the centroid of moves along a fixed circle. Since the circumcenter of is fixed, its nine-point center moves along a fixed circle as well. The nine-point circle has constant radius, so it is always tangent to two fixed circles. We finish by undoing our inversion. $\square$
31.12.2023 04:01
Let the tangents from $X$ meet $\Gamma$ at $P$ and $Q$, and $T = \ell \cap \Gamma$. Inverting about $\Gamma$, we have: $\ell$ is mapped to $(OT)$. $X$ is mapped to the midpoint of chord $PQ$. $Y \mapsto (OP) \cap (OT)$, $Z \mapsto (OQ) \cap (OT)$, and thus $Y$, $Z$ are the midpoints of $TP$, $TQ$. Thus $(XYZ)$ is now the nine-point circle of $\triangle TPQ$, so it has fixed radius $\frac R2$, where $R$ is the radius of $\Gamma$. Note that $N$, the center of $(XYZ)$, is \[\frac{t+p+q}{2} = x + \frac t2,\]so its locus is a circle with fixed radius $r$, the radius of $\Omega$ (after inversion). Hence we take the two circles centered at locus center with radii $\frac R2 - r$ and $\frac R2 + r$. $\blacksquare$
24.08.2024 18:16
[asy][asy] /* Geogebra to Asymptote conversion, documentation at artofproblemsolving.com/Wiki go to User:Azjps/geogebra */ import graph; size(10.478944114638217cm); real labelscalefactor = 0.5; /* changes label-to-point distance */ pen dps = linewidth(0.7) + fontsize(10); defaultpen(dps); /* default pen style */ pen dotstyle = black; /* point style */ real xmin = -13.600094969534796, xmax = 13.878849145103421, ymin = -6.701723760211535, ymax = 9.195589072746753; /* image dimensions */ pen cqcqcq = rgb(0.7529411764705882,0.7529411764705882,0.7529411764705882); pen ttttff = rgb(0.2,0.2,1.); pen wwccff = rgb(0.4,0.8,1.); pen xdxdff = rgb(0.49019607843137253,0.49019607843137253,1.); pen wwzzff = rgb(0.4,0.6,1.); pen qqttcc = rgb(0.,0.2,0.8); pen qqzzff = rgb(0.,0.6,1.); pen ttffcc = rgb(0.2,1.,0.8); pen qqzzcc = rgb(0.,0.6,0.8); pen qqzzqq = rgb(0.,0.6,0.); /* draw figures */ draw(circle((0.36144489267315283,-1.488370970179021), 4.8281611235712525), linewidth(1.)); 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Let $A$ be the center of $\Gamma$. Consider an inversion around $\Gamma$, let $X,Y,Z$ invert to $E',I',H'$, We show that $E'$ is the orthocenter of $\triangle AI'H'$. Now let $K$ be the center of $(AI'H')$ and let $J$ be the center of $(E'H'I')$ then the locus $J$ is circle with same radius as $\Omega'$, this is since $AKE'J$ is a parallelogram (can be proves easily). Now to construct these two fixed circles. Let $r$ denote the radius of $\Omega'$, and let $R$ be the radius of $\Gamma$. Circles with radius $\frac{R}{2}+r$ and $\frac{R}{2}-r$ centered at $P$, where $P$ is the center of locus (circle) of $J$. We see that these two circles are tangent to $(E'H'I')$, hence we are done.
28.09.2024 08:32
Solved with ohiorizzler1434, even though solutions might still be similar to above solutions. Invert around $\Gamma$. Let $O$ be its circumcentre. If $\ell$ is tangent to $\Gamma$ at $A$ then $A$ is fixed, whilst $\Omega\to\Omega’$, which by abuse of notation we rename $\Omega$ again. Now $X$ is sent to some point on $\Omega$ which we don’t care about, all we care is the fact that it lies on $\Omega$. Now it can be seen that if the tangency points from $X$ to $\Gamma$ before inversion are $X_1$, $X_2$ then they are fixed and $\measuredangle X_1XO=\measuredangle X_2XO=90^{\circ}$ after inversion (well-known). hence $X_1X_2$ is the chord on $\Gamma$ such that $X$ is its midpoint. Now $Y$ and $Z$ invert to $X_1A$’s and $X_2A$’s midpoints (we don’t care which). So now $(XYZ)$ is literally just the nine-point circle of $\triangle AX_1X_2$ with centre $N_9$. Its radius $r$ is fixed as it is just half of the radius of $\Gamma$ which itself is fixed. Now we claim that $N_9$ in fact lies on a fixed circle $\gamma$, which suffices as then if the radius of the fixed circle is $R$, the tangent circles can thus be described as the two circles concentric with $\gamma$ having radii $R-r$ and $R+r$. Since the circumcentre of $\triangle AX_1X_2$ is literally just $O$ which is fixed we can just dilate from $O$ by a factor of $2$ to get the STP that the orthocentre $H$ of $\triangle AX_1X_2$ lies on a fixed circle. However note that $AH=2XO$ which is well known. Hence the curve $H$ lies on can just be written as $2(\Omega+A-O-A)+A=2(\Omega-O)+A$ which is just a circle (here all these operations are just your standard $\mathbb{R}^2$ vector space operations). We are thus done.
23.12.2024 22:56
Lovely problem! Invert with respect to $\Gamma$. Let $XY$ and $XZ$ be tangent to $\Gamma$ at $P$ and $Q,$ respectively, and let $\ell$ touch $\Gamma$ at $T.$ Under inversion, $Y$ is sent to the midpoint of $TP,$ and $Z$ is sent to the midpoint of $TQ.$ Similarly, $X$ is sent to the midpoint of $PQ.$ Finally, the inverse of $X$ lies on a fixed circle. Therefore, our translated problem is as follows: Inverted problem wrote: Let $\Gamma$ and $\Omega^{\ast}$ be two fixed circles, with $\Omega^{\ast}$ inside $\Gamma.$ Let $T$ be a fixed point on $\Omega,$ and let $X^{\ast}$ be a point varying on $\Omega^{\ast}.$ Points $P^{\ast}$ and $Q^{\ast}$ are on $\Gamma$ so that $X^{\ast}$ is the midpoint of $P^{\ast}Q^{\ast}.$ Prove that as $X^{\ast}$ varies on $\Omega^{\ast},$ the nine-point circle of $\triangle TP^{\ast}Q^{\ast}$ is tangent to two fixed circles. We now employ complex numbers, setting the unit circle to be $\Gamma.$ For any point $A^{\ast},$ let $a$ be the complex number corresponding to it. Then the orthocenter of $\triangle TP^{\ast} Q^{\ast}$ is given by $h = p + q + t = 2x + t$ since $X^{\ast}$ is the midpoint of $P^{\ast}Q^{\ast}.$ Therefore, the nine-point circle is a circle of radius $\frac{1}{2}$ centered at $x + \frac{t}{2}.$ Since $x$ lies on a fixed circle, so does the center of our nine-point circle. We must show that as $x$ varies along this circle, the circle of radius $\frac{1}{2}$ is tangent to two fixed circles. This is clear; just take the circle centered at $\frac{t}{2}$ with radius $|R \pm 0.5|,$ where $R$ is the radius of $\Omega^{\ast}.$ Thus we are done.