Problem

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Tags: trigonometry, geometry, 3D geometry, Trigonometric Equations, sphere, IMO Shortlist, IMO Longlist



$(GBR 3)$ A smooth solid consists of a right circular cylinder of height $h$ and base-radius $r$, surmounted by a hemisphere of radius $r$ and center $O.$ The solid stands on a horizontal table. One end of a string is attached to a point on the base. The string is stretched (initially being kept in the vertical plane) over the highest point of the solid and held down at the point $P$ on the hemisphere such that $OP$ makes an angle $\alpha$ with the horizontal. Show that if $\alpha$ is small enough, the string will slacken if slightly displaced and no longer remain in a vertical plane. If then pulled tight through $P$, show that it will cross the common circular section of the hemisphere and cylinder at a point $Q$ such that $\angle SOQ = \phi$, $S$ being where it initially crossed this section, and $\sin \phi = \frac{r \tan \alpha}{h}$.