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Circles Inscribed
ClassRoom
in Segments
ANANDA BHADURI As I was going through Evan Chen’s Euclidean Geometry for
Mathematical Olympiads, I came
Circles acrossinthis
inscribed remarkable problem.
segments
Ananda Bhaduri
We are given that ω is a circle with centre O. AB is a
Keywords: Circles, angles, chord, tangent, power of a point, orthogonal circles
chord of ω. If a circle is tangent to ω at P (internally) and
As I was going through Evan Chen’s Euclidean Geometry for Mathematical Olympiadsǡ
Ǥ
tangent to AB
We are givenat
thatQ𝜔𝜔 is,a prove that
circle with centre O. ABP,Q and
is a chord of 𝜔𝜔.If athe
circle ismidpoint
tangent to 𝜔𝜔 at P of the
(internally) and tangent to AB at Q, prove that P,Q and the midpoint of the arc 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 ̂ not
arc AB not containing Pcontaining are collinear.
P are collinear.
Ǥ
Ǥ
Figure 1
Figure 1
Ǥ
ǡ
Ǥ
I start
𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
solving this problem by reasoning backwards. Once I have
̂
Ǥ
Ǥǡ
reduced it into a much more convenient form, I will present a proof.
αǤ
∠MAB = ∠MBAǤǡ
Ǥ
∠ MAB = ∠MPB ∠MBA = ∠ MPAǡ
Keywords: Circles, angles, chord, tangent, power of a point, orthogonal circles
22 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2019
Let PQ meet the arc AB not containing P at Now, we come to our first corollary:
M. We need to prove that M is the midpoint of The length of the tangent from M to
the arc AB not containing P. That is, we need to any circle inscribed in segment AB is
prove that
equal to MA.
MA = MB.
We begin by using the fact that triangles MPA
This reduces to proving that ∠MAB = ∠MBA. and MAQ are similar. This is because ∠MPA =
Now, we use the fact that angles in the same ∠MAB = ∠MAQ (as proved earlier) and ∠PMA =
segment are equal. Since ∠MAB = ∠MPB and ∠QMA.
∠MBA = ∠MPA, it is sufficient to prove that
Similarity yields the following ratio:
MQ MA
=
⇔∠MPB = ∠MPA ………..(1) MA MP
This leads to:
We will prove (1) below
MP · MQ = MA 2
Proof:
Observe that MP ∙ MQ is the power of point
Observe that O, P and K are collinear, where K is
M with respect to the inscribed circle. (The
the centre of the inscribed circle, O is the centre
definitions of words written in bold can be found
of the outer circle and P is the point of contact.
in the appendix.) But the power of a point of a
Since the circle inscribed in the segment is point outside the circle is equal to the square of
tangent to AB at Q, the length of the tangent from the point to the
said circle.
∠KQA = KQB = 90° …….(2)
If the length of the tangent from M to the
We compute ∠MPA and show that it must be inscribed circle is t. Then,
equal to ∠MPB.
MA2 = MP · MQ = t2
∠MPA is the sum of the two angles ∠MPO and
∠OPA. What does this result imply? The length of the
tangent from M to the circle is fixed by the segment
∠MPO is nothing but ∠KPQ AB and does not depend on the position of the circle
= ∠KQP (KP = KQ) within the segment.
= 90° – ∠PQB (from (2))
Now for our second corollary:
= 90° – ∠AQM
∠OPA =
180° – ∠POA (from the isosceles triangle POA) Let 𝛾 be the circle passing through A and
2 B with centre M and radius MA or MB.
= 90° – ∠PMA (∠POA = 2 ∠PMA)
Let 𝛾 intersect the inscribed circle at X and
Adding these two values, Y and intersect PQ at I. Then,
∠MPA = ∠MPO + ∠OPA
i. MX and MY are tangent to the inscribed
= 180° – (∠AQM + ∠PMA) circle.
= ∠MAB ii. I is the incentre of triangle PAB.
= ∠MPB (angles in the same segment)
The first part is the first corollary in disguise. In
And this proves (1). fact, the inscribed circle and γ are orthogonal
circles.
Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2019 23
Problem 1
⇒ ∠ABI = ∠IBP
Two circles G and G2 are inscribed in a segment of
Hence, IB bisects ∠PBA. 1
circle
G and touch each other externally at a point
W. Let A be a point of intersection of a common
ͳͻͻʹ
Ǥ
Mathematical Olympiads in India Ǥ
internal
Problem 1 tangent to G1 and G2 with the arc of the
Two circles G and G are inscribed in a segment of circle G and touch each other externally at a point W. Let A be a
segment andof let B and Ctangent
be the endpoints
G with the arcof thesegment and let B and C be the
1 2
point of intersection a common internal to G and1 2 of the
endpoints of the chord. Prove that W is the in-centre of triangle ABC.
chord. Prove that W is the in-centre of triangle ABC.
Figure 2
What about the second part? Since I lies on PM
(which is the bisector of ∠APB), it is sufficient to
prove that IB is the bisector of ∠PBA.
Since MB = MI,
∠MBI = ∠MIB (2) Figure 3Figure 3
ȋNote from the editor: For those unfamiliar with the term ‘internal tangent,’ an internal tangent to two circles is a
∠MBI = ∠MBA + ∠ABI
Ǥ
(Note from the editor: For those unfamiliar with
an external tangent, the two circles lie on the same side of the tangent line. Wikipedia uses the terms ‘inner tangent’
= ∠MPA + ∠ABI the term ‘internal tangent,’ an internal tangent
and ‘outer tangent’ but these are nonǦǤȌ
G G
Ǥ
1 2
(angles in the same segment) to two circles is a common
𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵 tangent to the two
̂
Ǥǡǣ
The tangents from a point P to G and G are equal if and only if it lies on the common
circles such that the two internal tangent tolie
1
circles
2
on G . opposite
=1/2∠APB + ∠ABI (MP bisects ∠APB) G and
1 2
sides of the tangent line. In the case of an
ǡ
Ǥǡ
G G
Ǥ
1 2
∠MIB = ∠IPB + ∠IBP external tangent, the two circles lie on the same
Ǥ
Ǥ
(exterior angle of a triangle) sideǤ
of the
Let there be atangent line. Wikipedia uses
point P’
such that the the terms
tangents from P’ to both the circles
‘inner
Let P’W tangent’
meet G G and
1 2 ‘outer tangent’ but these are
Ǥ
Ǥ
= ∠MPB + ∠IBP Consider the powers of point P’ (see appendix 1) with respect to both the circles. Prove that they must be
non-standard
Ǥ terms.)
= 1/2∠APB + ∠IBP
We define point M to be the intersection of
Substituting these values in (2), the common internal tangent of G1 and G2 and
1/2∠APB + ∠ABI = 1/2∠APB + ∠IBP the circle G. The figure suggests that M is the
not containing A. To
midpoint of the arc BC
⇒ ∠ABI = ∠IBP prove this, we will require this lemma:
Hence, IB bisects ∠PBA. The tangents from a point P to G1 and
I would like to present a problem from the IMO G2 are equal if and only if it lies on the
1992 shortlist which was proposed by Shailesh common internal tangent to G1 and G2.
Shirali. This problem appeared in the article
If P is on the common internal tangent, the
on Mathematical Olympiads in India in the
tangent from P to both the circles is equal to
November edition.
the length PW. Therefore, we need to prove that
the tangents from a point not on the common
internal tangent to G1 and G2 cannot be equal.
24 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2019
Here is a brief sketch of the proof. The reader is How can we use this lemma? According to the
expected to fill in the details. first corollary, the tangent from the midpoint of
not containing A to circles G1 and G2
the arc BC
• L
et there be a point P’ not on the common
internal tangent such that the tangents must be equal. Hence, the midpoint lies on the
from P’ to both the circles are equal. common internal tangent and is point M.
Ǥ
• Let P’W meet G1 and G2 at K and L This also implies that the tangent from M to both
ǫ
ǡ
respectively. Prove that K and L are distinct. the circles is equal to . But it is also equal to
MW
G1G2Ǥ
ǡ
• C
onsider the powers of point P’ (see MA
Ǥ (from the first corollary).
Ǥȋ
appendix 1) with respect to both the Therefore, we can construct a circle centred at
ȌǤ M
circles. Prove that they must be unequal. with radius MW which passes through and . A B
ǡ
Ǥ
Ǥ
• S ince the power of a point with respect to Now the figure of the problem resembles that of
Ǥ
a circle is the square of the length of the the1:second
Appendix Power of acorollary.
point We can use the second part
tangent, we get a contradiction. of the second corollary to complete the proof.
Ǥ
𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝑟𝑟 2 Ǥ
ǡ
ǡ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ∙ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ȋ
Ǥ
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ∙ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃Ǥabsolute valueǤȌ
ǡ
Ǥ
Appendix 1: Power of a point
There are many ways to define the power of a
point. For a point P and a circle with centre O
and radius r, the power of point P is the quantity
OP 2 – r 2. If P is outside the circle, the power of
point P is the length of the tangent from P to
the circle squared. If a line through P intersects
the circle at A and B, then the power of point P
is also PA · PB (Note that the power of a point
inside a circle is negative according to the first
definition. But the third definition suggests that
it is positive. The power of a point inside a circle
is indeed negative and PA · PB is the absolute
value of the power of a point.)
Here, we only prove that the three definitions are
equal for a point outside a circle.
Suppose PT is the tangent from P to the circle. Figure 4
Figure 4
Ǥ
It is obvious from the Pythagoras theorem that Also,
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 2 = 𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂2 − 𝑟𝑟 2
PT 2 = OP 2 – r 2
𝑃𝑃𝑇𝑇 2 = 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 ∙ 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃Ǥ
∠APT = ∠BPT
We have to prove that PT 2 = PA ∙ PB.
Ǥ
Let TC be a diameter of the circle. The last two equations imply that triangles PAT
This implies that ∠TAC is a right angle.
and PBT are similar. ⇒ ∠𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇𝑇 = 90° − ∠𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴
This implies that ∠TAC is a right angle.
We get this ratio from similarity:
⇒ ∠TCA = 90° – ∠ATC PA PT
=
But ∠CTP is also a right angle, PT PB
This gives us the required result.
⇒ ∠ATP = 90° – ∠ATC
⇒ ∠ATP = ∠TCA = ∠TBA
Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2019 25
ǡ
∠𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴 = ∠𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵𝐵
Ǥ
ǣ
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃
=
𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃 𝑃𝑃𝑃𝑃
Ǥ
Appendix 2: Orthogonal circles
Ωω
ͳʹ
Ǥͳͳ
Appendix 2: Orthogonal circles ωǡ
Ǥ
ǡ ΩǤ
ʹ ʹ
Ǥ
Ǥ ǡ ǡ ǡ ͳ ʹǡ
ǤǤ
Let Ω and ω be two circles intersecting with
ͳ ʹǤ
centres O1 and O2 respectively which intersect at
A and B. If O1A and O1B are tangents to ω, the
two circles are orthogonal. In fact, this implies
that O2A and O2B are tangents to Ω. Orthogonal
circles have lots of nice properties. We encourage
the reader to find them. For example, one
interesting feature is that the points O1, O2, A,
B lie on a circle whose centre is the midpoint of
segment [Link] proof is trivial and is left to
the reader.
Figure 5
We conclude this appendix with a question: What
ǣ
Figure 5
ωǫ
ͳ ʹ
is the power of point O1 with respect to ω? What to Ω?
Acknowledgments
about that of O2 with respect to Ω?
ͳͻͻʹǤ
References
ȏͳȐǡǤȋʹͲͳȌǡ
Ǥ
Ǥ
ȏʹȐǡ
ǡǡʹͲͳͺǡ
ǣȀȀ
ǤȀȀ
Ȁ
ǦǦ
Acknowledgments
I thank my brother Maitreya for his review comments on the draft versions of this article and his suggestion to include the problem
from the IMO shortlist of 1992.
References
[1] Chen, E. (2016), Euclidean Geometry in Mathematical Olympiads. Mathematical Association of America.
[2] Phoolan Prasad, Mathematical Olympiads in India, At Right Angles, November 2018, [Link]
mathematics-olympiads-india
[3] Wikipedia, [Link]
ANANDA BHADURI is a class VIII student of Sarala Birla Gyan Jyoti, Guwahati. He is particularly interested
in Euclidean Geometry. He is a voracious reader, who enjoys playing football and chess. He may be contacted at
anandabhaduri25@[Link].
26 Azim Premji University At Right Angles, July 2019