Let $A_1C_2B_1B_2C_1A_2$ be a cyclic convex hexagon inscribed in circle $\Omega$, centered at $O$. Let $\{ P \} = A_2B_2 \cap A_1B_1$ and $\{ Q \} = A_2C_2 \cap A_1C_1$. Let $\Gamma_1$ be a circle tangent to $OB_1$ and $OC_1$ at $B_1,C_1$ respectively. Similarly, define $\Gamma_2$ to be the circle tangent to $OB_2,OC_2$ at $B_2, C_2$ respectively. Prove that there is a homothety that sends $\Gamma_1$ to $\Gamma_2$, whose center lies on $PQ$
Problem
Source: Izho day 2 problem 5
Tags: geometry, geometric transformation, homothety
15.01.2025 14:07
Let $H$ be the intersection of $B_1C_2$ and $B_2C_1$. We will show that $H$ is the center of the homothety. Apply Pascal's theorem give us $H, P, Q$ collinear. Consider this configuration in the complex plane, and let $(O)$ be the unit circle. Let $F$ and $G$ be the center of $\Gamma_2$ and $\Gamma_1$, then $$h=\frac{b_{1}c_{2}(b_{2}+c_{1})-b_{2}c_{1}(b_{1}+c_{2})}{b_{1}c_{2}-b_{2}c_{1}}$$$$g=\frac{2b_{1}c_{1}}{b_{1}+c_{1}}, f=\frac{2b_{2}c_{2}}{b_{2}+c_{2}}$$Since $$\frac{h-g}{h-f}=\frac{(b_{1}-c_{1})(b_{2}+c_{2})}{(b_{2}-c_{2})(b_{1}+c_{1})} \in \mathbb{R},$$we have $H,F,G$ collinear Also, we have $$g-c_{1}=\frac{c_{1}(b_{1}-c_{1})}{b_{1}+c_{1}}, f-c_{2}=\frac{c_{2}(b_{2}-c_{2})}{b_{2}+c_{2}}$$Therefore $$\left|\frac{h-g}{h-f}\right|=\left|\frac{g-c_{1}}{f-c_{2}}\right|$$or $$\frac{HG}{HF}=\frac{GC_{1}}{FC_{2}}$$From here we conclude that there exist a homothety with center $H \in PQ$ sends $\Gamma_1$ to $\Gamma_2$.
15.01.2025 16:04
The complex solution above is amazing! Here's a purely geometric solution (haven't used pole-polar in 10 years lol), which is normal, even though it took me so much time to find... Let $R = B_1C_2 \cap B_2C_1$ which helpfully lies on $PQ$ by Pascal. In fact, we can now remove $A_1$, $A_2$, $P$, $Q$ entirely from the diagram. Let $O_1$ and $O_2$ be the centers of the two circles. Note that the polar of $O_1$ is $B_1C_1$, the polar of $O_2$ is $B_2C_2$ and the polar of $R$ passes through $B_1C_1 \cap B_2C_2$ by Brocard's theorem, so the three polars are concurrent - hence $O_1, O_2, R$ are collinear. (Ok, this also follows by Pascal on the degenerates $C_2B_1B_1B_2C_1C_1$ and $C_1B_2B_2B_1C_2C_2$. Alternatively, invert with respect to the main circle and notice that the images lie on the circle with diameter $O(B_1C_1\cap B_2C_2)$ by Brocard's theorem.) Now to justify the homothety, it suffices to show $\frac{RO_1}{RO_2} = \frac{O_1C_1}{O_2C_2}$, since the latter are the radii of the circles. Equivalently, $\frac{O_1B_1}{O_1R} = \frac{O_2C_2}{O_2R}$, i.e. $\frac{\sin \angle B_1RO_1}{\sin \angle O_1B_1R} = \frac{\sin \angle O_2RC_2}{\sin \angle RC_2O_2}$ by the Sine Law. The latter follows by $\angle O_1B_1R = \angle B_2B_1R - \angle B_2B_1O_1 = \angle B_2A_2C_2 - \angle B_2A_2B_1 = \angle B_1C_2O_2$ and the analogous for the others.
15.01.2025 16:36
Well, this is really similar to Bulgaria RMM TST 2024 G3 and the RMM TST was held a few days ago, so that's pretty interesting. We have to show that the insimilicenter of $\Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$ lies on $PQ$. Clearly $B_1C_2 \cap B_2C_1=X \in PQ$ by Pascal on $C_2B_1A_1C_1B_2A_2$, so we claim this is the insimilicenter. Let $\Omega_1$ be the circle tangent to $OB_1, OC_2$ at $B_1, C_2$ (exists since $OB_1=OC_2$) and let $\Omega_2$ be the circle tangent to $OB_2, OC_1$ at $B_2, C_1$. By Monge on $\Omega_1, \Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$, the insimilicenter lies on $B_1C_2$ and by Monge on $\Omega_2, \Gamma_1, \Gamma_2$, the insimilicenter lies on $C_1B_2$. Thus, $X$ is the insimilicenter. Remarks: The idea of applying twice Monge comes from the official solution of the above-mentioned problem, so credits to @Strudan_Borisov, who is the proposer of this problem. I think my approach from the problem above with inversion at $X$ might also work as well, but it's probably longer.
16.01.2025 22:24
One may recognise the Brocard configuration for cyclic quadrilaterals (I prefer to call it so) and observe that the problem is equivalent to the following: Given a convex quadrilateral $ABCD$, which is inscribed in a circle centred at $O$. Let $AC\cap BD=R(.)$ and consider its polar line w.r.t. $(O)$ that contains points $AB\cap CD=Q(.)$, $AD\cap BC=P(.)$. If we define points $X$ and $Y$ as poles of lines $AC$ and $BD$ w.r.t. $(O)$, respectively, then clearly both lie on $PQ$. We are asked to show that \[ \frac{PX}{PY} = \frac{XC}{YB} \quad \text{or/and} \quad \frac{QX}{QY} = \frac{XC}{YB}, \]in other words, the points $P$ and $Q$ are exsimilicenter and insimilicenter of circles centered at $X$ and $Y$ with radii $XC$ and $YB$, respectively. The bundle $\{P, X, Q,Y\}$ is harmonic, so it might be appropriate to ask to show that $\frac{PX\cdot QX}{\mathrm{Pow} (X)} = \frac{PY\cdot QY}{\mathrm{Pow} (Y)}$ in the given figure. Alternatively, showing $\frac{PX}{PY} = \frac{XC}{YB}$ can be done simply by considering triangles $PXC$ and $PYB$ along with the Sine Law .
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19.01.2025 23:03
We use the following well-known result: If there exists an inversion from some point that swaps two circles, then this point is a center of a similitude of those two circles. Let $R = B_1C_2 \cap C_1B_2$. Pascal's theorem directly implies that $R \in PQ$. Consider the inversion $\Phi$ from $R$ with radius $\sqrt{RB_2 \cdot RC_1}$. We will show that $\Phi$ swaps $\Gamma_1$ and $\Gamma_2$. Cleary, $\Phi$ swaps $B_1 \leftrightarrow C_2$ and $B_2 \leftrightarrow C_1$. We need another pair of points getting swapped and we'll be done. Let $X = B_1C_2 \cap \Gamma_1, Y = B_1C_2 \cap \Gamma_2$. If we show that $C_1B_2XY$ is cyclic, then power of a point $R$ will imply that $X \leftrightarrow Y$. However, this is just an angle-chase. $$\angle{B_2C_1X} = \angle{OC_1X} - \angle{OC_1B_2} = \pi - \angle{C_1B_1X} - \angle{OB_2C_1} = \angle{C_1B_1C_2} - \angle{OB_2C_1} = \angle{C_1B_2C_2} - \angle{OB_2C_1} = \angle{OB_2C_2} = \angle{OC_2B_2} = \angle{B_2YX}$$and we are done. $\ \square$
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23.01.2025 18:26
My solution from the contest Let $O_1$ and $O_2$ be the circumcenters of $\Gamma_1$ and $\Gamma_2$ and let $r_1$ and $r_2$ be their radii. Let $Z = C_2B_1 \cap B_2C_1$, by Pascal on $A_2C_2B_1A_1C_1B_2$ we get that $P,Q$ and $Z$ are collinear. It is enough to show that $Z$ is the insimilicenter of $\Gamma_1$ and $\Gamma_2$. Since $O_1,O_2$ and $Z$ all lie on the polar of $C_1B_1 \cap B_2C_2$ with respect to $\Omega$, we have that they are collinear. Now let $\alpha,\beta,\gamma,\delta$ be the angles $\angle O_1C_1Z,\angle ZC_2O_2,\angle O_1ZC_1$ and $\angle C_2ZO_2$, respectively and let $x = O_1Z$ and $y = O_2Z$. Note that $\angle ZB_1O_1 = \beta$ and $\angle ZB_2O_2 = \alpha$. From the law of sines on $\triangle O_1ZC_1$ and $\triangle O_1ZB$ we get $$\frac{x}{\sin{\alpha}} = \frac{r_1}{\sin{\gamma}} \text{ and } \frac{x}{\sin{\beta}} = \frac{r_1}{\sin{\delta}}$$respectively. Multiplying the two, we have $$\frac{x^2}{\sin{\alpha}\cdot\sin{\beta}} = \frac{r_1^2}{\sin{\gamma}\cdot \sin{\delta}}$$Analogously for $\triangle ZC_2O_2$ and $ZB_2O_2$ $$\frac{y^2}{\sin{\alpha}\cdot\sin{\beta}} = \frac{r_2^2}{\sin{\gamma}\cdot \sin{\delta}}$$Finally, dividing the two results we obtain $\frac{x^2}{y^2} = \frac{r_1^2}{r_2^2} \Rightarrow \frac{x}{y} = \frac{r_1}{r_2}$ so $Z$ is indeed the insimilicenter of $\Gamma_1$ and $\Gamma_2$.