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Difference between revisions of "2003 Pan African MO Problems/Problem 2"

(Solution to Problem 2 -- VERY EASY circle angle problem)
 
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==Solution==
 
==Solution==
  
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Let <math>A, B, C, D</math> in that order be the four points that divide the circle into four arcs, and let <math>X</math> be the intersection of <math>AC</math> and <math>BD</math>.  Let <math>F, G, H, J</math> be the midpoints of <math>\overarc{AB}, \overarc{BC}, \overarc{CD}, \overarc{DA}</math> respectively.  Additionally, let <math>a = \overarc{AB}, b = \overarc{BC}, c = \overarc{CD},</math> and <math>d = \overarc{DA}</math>.
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Let <math>A, B, C, D</math> in that order be the four points that divide the circle into four arcs.  Let <math>F, G, H, J</math> be the midpoints of <math>\overarc{AB}, \overarc{BC}, \overarc{CD}, \overarc{DA}</math> respectively, and let <math>X</math> be the intersection of <math>FH</math> and <math>GJ</math>.  Additionally, let <math>a = \overarc{AB}, b = \overarc{BC}, c = \overarc{CD},</math> and <math>d = \overarc{DA}</math>.
  
 
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Latest revision as of 15:25, 28 January 2020

Problem

The circumference of a circle is arbitrarily divided into four arcs. The midpoints of the arcs are connected by segments. Show that two of these segments are perpendicular.

Solution

Let $A, B, C, D$ in that order be the four points that divide the circle into four arcs. Let $F, G, H, J$ be the midpoints of $\overarc{AB}, \overarc{BC}, \overarc{CD}, \overarc{DA}$ respectively, and let $X$ be the intersection of $FH$ and $GJ$. Additionally, let $a = \overarc{AB}, b = \overarc{BC}, c = \overarc{CD},$ and $d = \overarc{DA}$.


Note that $a+b+c+d = 360^\circ$. Additionally, from the definition of midpoint, $FB = \tfrac{a}{2}$ and $BG = \tfrac{b}{2}$. Thus, $FG = \tfrac{a+b}{2}$. Likewise, $HD = \tfrac{c}{2}$ and $DJ = \tfrac{d}{2}$, so $HJ = \tfrac{c+d}{2}$. Therefore, $\angle FXG = \tfrac{a+b+c+d}{2} = \tfrac{180}{2} = 90^\circ$, so $FH \perp GJ$.

See Also

2003 Pan African MO (Problems)
Preceded by
Problem 1 		1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 Followed by
Problem 3
All Pan African MO Problems and Solutions
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