Let \(ABC\) be an isosceles triangle with \(AB = BC\). Let \(D\) be a point on segment \(AB\), \(E\) be a point on segment \(BC\), and \(P\) be a point on segment \(DE\) such that \(AD = DP\) and \(CE = PE\). Let \(M\) be the midpoint of \(DE\). The line parallel to \(AB\) through \(M\) intersects \(AC\) at \(X\) and the line parallel to \(BC\) through \(M\) intersects \(AC\) at \(Y\). The lines \(DX\) and \(EY\) intersect at \(F\). Prove that \(FP\) is perpendicular to \(DE\).
Problem
Source: Brazilian Mathematical Olympiad 2024, Level 2, Problem 6
Tags: geometry, parallel, isosceles, excircle, midpoint
13.10.2024 00:33
Let $T$ in line $BA$ and $R$ in line $BC$ such that $BT, BR>BA$, $AT=CE$ and $CR=AD$. So, the following Lemma is valid: Lemma The points $E, X$ and $T$ are collinear just like the points $D, Y$ and $R$. Let $U=MX\cap BC$ and $V=MY\cap AB$. As $MX//AB$ and $M$ is the midpoint of the segment $DE$, by midline, we must have $U$ being the midpoint of the segment $BE$. Likewise, from $MY//BC$ and $M$ being the midpoint of the segment $DE$, $V$ will have to be the midpoint of the segment $BD$. Therefore, by the Intercept Theorem(Tales Theorem) in $MX$ and in $MY$ we get: $\frac{AX}{XC}=\frac{BU}{UC}=\frac{\frac{BC-EC}{2}}{\frac{BC-EC}{2}+EC}=\frac{BC-EC}{BC+EC}=\frac{BE}{TB}$ and $\frac{YC}{YA}=\frac{BV}{VA}=\frac{\frac{AB-DA}{2}}{\frac{AB-DA}{2}+DA}=\frac{AB-DA}{AB+DA}=\frac{BD}{RB}$ Now, notice that, by Menelaus, in the points $E, X$ and $T$ and $D, Y$ and $R$ $\frac{TA}{TB}\cdot\frac{BE}{EC}\cdot\frac{CX}{XA}=\frac{BE}{TB}\cdot\frac{CX}{XA}=1$, thus $E, X$ and $T$ are collinear. $\frac{RC}{RB}\cdot\frac{BD}{DA}\cdot\frac{AY}{YC}=\frac{BD}{RB}\cdot\frac{AY}{YC}=1$, thus $D, Y$ and $R$ are collinear, proving our lemma. Therefore, as $MX//DT$ and, $X$ must be the midpoint of $ET$. Likewise, as $MY//ER$, $Y$ must be the midpoint $DR$. Thus, since $DT=DE$, $DF$ bissects $\angle TDE$ and, as $ER=ED$, $EY$ bissects the $\angle RED$ and the $F$ is the exincenter relative to $B$ in the triangle $BED$. But, since $DX$ is the perpendicular bissector of $PA$ and $EY$ is the perpendicular bissector of $PC$, $FA=FP=FC$, then the points $A$, $P$ and $C$ are the contact points of the exincircle in the lines $BA$, $BC$ and $DE$, and then $FP\bot DE$.
Attachments:

13.10.2024 01:50
Clearly, $P$ is the point where the $B$-excircle of $DBE$ is tangent to $DE$, so $A$ and $C$ are also tangency points. Define $F'$ to be the $B$-excentre of $DBE$ and $X'$ and $Y'$ to be the feet of the altitudes from $E$ and $D$, respectively, on $DEF'$. Then if $\angle EDB=2\alpha$ we get $\angle X'DM=90^\circ -\alpha$, so $\angle DMX'=2\alpha$, and therefore $MX'\parallel AB$. On the other hand, since $A$ and $C$ are the reflections of $P$ on $DF'$ and $EF'$, respectively, and $PX'Y'$ is the orthic triangle of $DEF'$ by definition then $A,X',Y',C$ are collinear. Hence $X'=X$ and $Y'=Y$, so $F'=F$, and therefore $FP$ is perpendicular to $DE$, as desired.
25.11.2024 13:56
Let $T$$=$$MY$$\cap$$AB$,$S$$=$$MX$$\cap$$BC$ and the lenths of $TB$, $SB$ and $AD$ be $a$,$b$ and $x$, respectively. As $YT$$\parallel$$BC$, and $M$ is the midpoint of $DE$, then $T$ is the midpoint of $BD$; likewisely, $S$ is the midpoint of $BE$. Notice that $TB=TD=a$, and $SB=SE=b$, so $CE=2a+x-2b$. Then, as quadrilateral $BSMT$ is a parallelogram, $TB=SM=a$, so $MX=a+x-b$, because $SX=SC$. Now, observe that $MD=ME=\frac{PD+PE}{2}=\frac{(x)+(2a+x-2b)}{2}=a+x-b$. Then $MX=MD=ME$, so $\angle DXE=90^{\circ}$. Analogously, $\angle DYE=90^{\circ}$. Then if $\angle BDE=\alpha$, $\angle DMX=\alpha$ and $\angle MXE = \angle MEX =\frac{\alpha}{2}$, so $\angle XDE=90^\circ-\frac{\alpha}{2}$, and $\angle XDA=90^\circ-\frac{\alpha}{2}$. Hence, $DX$ is the angle bisector of $\angle ADE$, which is isosceles, meaning $DX$ is the penpendicular bisector of $PA$. Analogously, $EY$ is the perpendicular bisector of $PC$. Therefore, F is the circumcenter of $\bigtriangleup APC$, then F is the $B$-excentre of $\bigtriangleup BDE$, which has contact points A, P and C, so that means $FP$$\bot$$DE$$\Box$