MATHEMATICAL.

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MATHEMATIK-OLYMPIADE
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OLIMPIADI DELLA MATEMATICA

Geometry I - Angle Chasing

Daniel Sprecher

Contents
1 Introduction 2

2 Angles in the triangle 2

3 Angles in a circle 5

4 Cyclic quadrilateral 9

5 Tips for the exam 12

1 Introduction
This script is intended to give an initial overview of the geometry problems as they are
set at the Mathematical Olympiads. The theory needed to solve the problems is neither
too much nor too difficult to understand, but rather quite intuitive. The difficulty of the
tasks is rather in finding a reasonable approach, recognizing the essential elements in a
sketch and linking the facts found in such a way that a complete proof emerges.
It is assumed that the reader is familiar with the construction of geometric figures (e.g.
the Thales circle). In particular, the existence, construction and most important prop-
erties of the following special points in the triangle should be known: center of the
circumcircle, center of the incircle, intersection of the altitudes, intersection of the medi-
ans (which of these mentioned points can also lie outside of the triangle? What does the
triangle look like then?). Additionally, it is expected that elementary theorems like the
Pythagorean theorem and basic concepts such as acute angles (< 90◦ ) and obtuse angles
(between 90◦ and 180◦ ) are known.
In each chapter there are some examples with solutions. They are meant to get you into
the topic and show the given theorems in action. The solutions of the examples are rather
thorough. In the exams you do not have to give the proofs in such a detailed mannner,
but you must not miss any steps or cases (see chapter 5).

2 Angles in the triangle

We dive right in with a first example.

Example 1 Prove that in an arbitrary triangle the sum of the interior angles is 180
degrees.

Solution. As usual let α = ∠CAB, β = ∠ABC, γ = ∠BCA and let g be the parallel
line to AB through the point C (Fig. 1). Since the three angles at C form together a
straight line, the following applies

∠(g, CA) + γ + ∠(CB, g) = 180◦ .

In addition ∠(g, CA) is equal to α and ∠(CB, g) = β, since they form alternate angles
at the parallels g and AB. This gives α + β + γ = 180◦ .

Since any convex n-polygon can be constructed from n − 2 triangles, the interior angle
sum for any n-polygon is (n − 2) · 180◦ (the exact proof can be stated with induction).
From the example 1 follows the Exterior Angle Theorem immediately, which is best
made clear to oneself by drawing a sketch.

Proposition 2.1 (Exterior Angle Theorem) An exterior angle of a triangle is as big as

the sum of the two non-adjacent interior angles.

2
 C C
α γ β g

ε
a

α β
A B D
A a B

Figure 1: Solution to example 1 Figure 2: Example 2

Example 2 In the triangle ABC let the side AB be bigger than the side BC. Let the
point D lie on the line AB, such that BD = BC (Fig. 2). How big is  = ∠ACD, if you
know, that ∠BCA − ∠CAB = 30◦ ?

Solution. Again let α and γ be the angles of 4ABC at A and C, respectively. The angle
∠CDB is the exterior angle of 4ADC and thus as big as the sum of the two interior
angles at A and C (Fig. 3):
∠CDB = α + . (1)
According to the condition, 4BCD is isosceles and thus the following holds
∠CDB = ∠BCD = γ − . (2)
Combining the equations (1) and (2) leads to
α +  = ∠CDB = γ − 
⇔ α + 2 = γ
⇔ 2 = γ − α = 30◦
⇔  = 15◦

The constraint showcased in the last example seems quite strange at first sight and one
does not really know what to do with it. This is often the case and there is no foolproof
system for how to proceed in each case. In this task we were successful by simply ignoring
a condition at the beginning. Only after we had established a relationship between the
angles mentioned in the task (α, γ, ) did it become clear how to use the constraint. But
sometimes it is also the case that one can unearth hints for the solution of the problem
from the secondary conditions.

Example 3 Let ABC be a right-angled triangle with hypotenuse AB (Fig. 4). Let the
point P have the property that the the lines P B and AB are perpendicular to each other
and that P B = CB holds. Show that the line P C is either perpendicular or parallel to
the angle bisector wα of the angle α = ∠CAB.

3
 C
P
C
γ-ε
ε a
a a
wα

α α+ε
D
A a B A B

Figure 3: Solution to example 2 Figure 4: Example 3

Solution. There are two points which satisfy the conditions for P . Let P1 be the possi-
bility which lies on the same side of the line AB as C (Fig. 5) and P2 be the possibility
which lies on the opposite side of AB (Fig. 6).
Since γ = 90◦ , there is a direct relationship between α and β:

β = 90◦ − α

and thus
∠CBP1 = α.
The triangle BP1 C is isosceles according to the prerequisite and therefore the following
applies:
∠BP1 C = ∠P1 CB.
For the sum of angles in this triangle we get

α + 2 · ∠P1 CB = 180◦
α
⇔ ∠P1 CB = 90◦ − .
2
Let Q be the intersection point of wα and CB. Since ∠CAQ = α2 , we get
α
∠AQC = 90◦ − = ∠P1 CB.
2
∠AQC and ∠P1 CB are also alternate angles and therefore wα and P1 C are parallel.
Let us now consider the situation for P2 . It holds that ∠P2 BC = 180◦ − α and thus
α
∠BCP2 = .
2
Let now R be the intersection point of wα with CP2 . In 4QCR it holds that
α α
∠QCR + ∠RQC = ∠BCP2 + (90◦ − ∠CAQ) = + 90◦ − = 90◦ .
2 2
Thus ∠CRQ = 90◦ and wα ⊥CP2 .

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 ½α C
90˚-½α

wα
R
Q
90˚-½α α
P1
C A B
½α
wα
90˚-½α
Q
½α α
½α
A P2
B

Figure 5: Solution to example 3, Case 1 Figure 6: Solution to example 3, Case 2

This example shows nicely what angle chasing actually is. At the beginning an angle is
.
replaced with a placeholder variable (here: ∠CAB = α) and then all further angles in the
figure are expressed in dependence of this angle (e.g. ∠AQC = 90◦ − α2 ) - which means
the whole figure is determined if α is determined. In other problems it is sometimes
necessary to introduce several variable.

3 Angles in a circle
Let O be the center of a circle and let A and B be two points lying on the circle line.
The angle AOB is called center angle over the arc AB.d Note that there are always two
possibilities for AB, one is ∠AOB ≤ 180 and the other is ∠AOB ≥ 180◦ . Usually it is
◦

clear from the context which of the two possibilities is meant, but it is better to declare
this unambiguously (as in the following sentence).

Proposition 3.1 (Inscribed-Central Angle Theorem) Let O be the circumcenter of any

triangle ABC with ∠BAC = α. The central angle of the arc BC, which does not contain
the point A, is then equal to 2α.

Proof. We prove the case when 4ABC is acute-angled (Fig. 7); the other case works
analogously. Because 4ABC is acute-angled, O lies inside 4ABC and we can split
∠BAC into two smaller angles by setting α1 = ∠OAB and α2 = ∠CAO. Since O is the
center of the circumcircle, 4OAB and 4OCA are isosceles, which means

∠ABO = α1 ∠OCA = α2 .

If we extend the straight line AO and intersect it with the circumcircle in D, we see
that ∠DOB is the exterior angle of 4OAB and ∠COD is the exterior angle of 4OCA.

5
 t
C C

D α
α2 2α H
2

α2 2α1
O O
α1 α1 α
A B
A B

Figure 7: Inscribed-Central Angle Theo- Figure 8: Tangent-chord Theorem

rem

Therefore we get, according to the Exterior Angle Theorem

∠COB = ∠COD + ∠DOB = 2α2 + 2α1 = 2(α1 + α2 ) = 2α.

Analogously to the central angle, the angle BAC in Fig. 7 called inscribed angle is
above the arc BC.
d Consider what happens to the magnitude of the inscribed angle when
you move the point A around on the circumcircle. This will take you directly to the next
theorem.

Proposition 3.2 (Inscribed Angle Theorem) Let BC be any arc on a circle k. All
inscribed angles over BC are equal.

Proof. We again consider Fig. 7 and choose the arc BC containing D. The center angle
COB is obviously independent of the choice of A, thus it is clear that also the magnitude
of ∠CAB must remain constant as long as A does not change sides with regard to the
line BC.

Proposition 3.3 (Tangent-chord Theorem) In any triangle ABC let k be the circum-
circle with center O. Let t be the tangent in C to the circle k (Fig. 8). C divides t into
two half-straights; choose an arbitrary auxiliary point H on that half-straight line which
lies on the other side of BC than A. It holds ∠BAC = ∠BCH.

Proof. (Fig. 9) With the Inscribed Angle Theorem we calculate

∠BOC = 2α.

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4OBC is isosceles and we can therefore calculate the angle OCB with the help of the
interior angle sum:
180◦ − 2α
∠OCB = = 90◦ − α.
2
Tangents are always perpendicular to the respective radius, which leads to ∠OCH = 90◦ .
The last step is now no longer difficult:
∠BCH = 90◦ − ∠OCB = 90◦ − (90◦ − α) = α.

The Tangent-chord Theorem is very useful for complicated problems, because it allows to
calculate angles on the circle without the center of the circle being introduced. It keeps
the sketch much cleaner. Next, we will look at an illustrative example.

t B
F

t C
C
90˚- α
α P
H
E
2α
O
α
A B A
D

Figure 9: Proof of the Tangent-chord The- Figure 10: Example 4

orem

Example 4 The two chords AB and CD intersect inside the circle at E (Fig. 10). Let
P be any point on the line BE. The tangent t to the circle through D, P and E in E
intersects the line BC in F and AC in G. Show ∠F GC = ∠BDP .

Solution. (Abb. 11) Firstly we set

∠EP D = α, ∠ACE = β
(it does not matter so much which angles we substitute).
Now we can derive further angles. Thus, according to the Tangent-chord theorem
∠GED = α

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which is an exterior angle of 4ECG. It follows that
∠F GC = α − β.
According to the Inscribed Angle Theorem the following holds:
∠ABD = β
and using the exterior angle ∠EP D = α of 4BDP we get
∠BDP = α − β
thus equal to ∠F GC.

t B
F
β
Q
C
A s
β P
α
s
E
P
α
M
A s
D s
G O N B

Figure 11: Solution of example 4 Figure 12: Example 5

The solution of this task looks quite simple, but it is easy to get lost in the many straight
lines and circles. Keeping track of the whole situation is one of the main difficulties in
geometry. The patience to carefully construct a large sketch with ruler and compass
often pays off!
In the solution of this problem we have substituted two angles at the beginning (α and
β). If you want to determine all angles in the figure, you need even more placeholders.
Try to determine all angles in the figure as an exercise. How many angles do you have
to substitute minimally? (Answer: the figure has four degrees of freedom (if you ignore
translation, scaling and rotation); by four substituents you can express all angles present
in fig. 11).

Example 5 Let ∠AOB be a right angle with a point M on the rey OA and a point N on
the ray OB (Fig. 12). Complete M and N to form a square M N P Q such that P is on
the other side of M N than O. What are the possible locations of the center of the square
M N P Q, given that the two points M and N can move freely on their rays?

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Solution. We first draw the two diagonals of the square and name their intersection D
(Fig. 13). At first glance, one would expect D to move on an infinite surface like P and
Q. We now show that this is not the case.

Q
Q
A

P
A
D
M M P
E

45˚ 45˚
O
N B
O N B

Figure 13: Solution 5, first part Figure 14: Solution 5, second part

The two angles ∠M ON and ∠M DN are both right angles and therefore it makes sense
to draw the thales circle over the distance M N . Now the two points O and D are also
on this circle. Since M N P Q is a square, ∠measuresDN M = 45◦ . According to the
Inscribed Angle Theorem, ∠DOM = ∠DN M = 45◦ . Thus, the centers of the square lie
on the bisector of ∠AOB regardless of the choice of M and N .
But we are not finished yet, because it is not proven yet that also all points on the angle
bisector can be square center points. To show this, we choose any point E on the angle
bisector of ∠AOB and draw the square M ON E with M on OA and N on OB (Fig. 14).
Now drawing the square M N P Q shows that E is obviously its center. It is thus shown
that the center of the square can move on the whole bisector (here a ray) of ∠AOB.

4 Cyclic quadrilateral
This brings us to the most important chapter, because cyclic quadrilaterals appear in
almost every competition problem. A cyclic quadrilateral is a convex quadrilateral formed
by four points lying on a circle. We first examine an important property.

Proposition 4.1 In a cyclic quadrilateral ABCD the sum of two opposite interior angles
always equals 180◦ .

Proof. When dealing with cyclic quadrilaterals, it is usually advisable to draw the two
diagonals and divide the interior angles in this way (Fig. 15). We then call ∠CAD = α
and ∠BAC = β. Using the Inscribed Angle Theorem we get
∠CBD = α, ∠BDC = β

9
and with the sum of angles in 4BCD, it follows

∠BCD = 180◦ − α − β = 180◦ − ∠BAD

Okay, that was not that spectacular. More surprising is that the reverse of the theorem
also applies!

Proposition 4.2 Given four points A, B, C, D which form a convex quadrilateral in this
order. If ∠BAD + ∠BCD = 180◦ , the four points lie on a circle.

C P
D

D β
α
B
α
β B
A
A

Figure 15: Solution to theorem 5 Figure 16: Solution to theorem 6

Proof. (Fig. 16) We first draw the circumcircle k of 4ABD. Assume that C does not
lie on k. If this assumption leads to a contradiction, the theorem is proved. We first
consider the case when C lies inside the circle k.
Let the intersection of the line AC with k be P . Since ABP D is a cyclic quadrilateral,
we know that (theorem 4.1)

∠BAD + ∠BP D = 180◦ .

If we could now show that ∠BCD is greater than ∠BP D, we would have the desired
contradiction, because then the sum ∠BAD + ∠BCD could not possibly be 180◦ , which
is given by the premise. Intuitively it is clear that in Fig. 16 ∠BCD > ∠BP D holds,
one can prove it like this:
Because C must lie within triangle BDP , ∠CBD < ∠P BD and ∠CDB < ∠P DB.
Thus the sums of the angles give

∠BCD = 180◦ − ∠CBD − ∠CDB > 180◦ − ∠P BD − ∠P DB = ∠BP D.

The case if C is outside k works completely analogously.

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The argument used here might make an inelegant first impression on you, but in fact
the method of the proof even has its own name. The methodology is called ’Working
Backward’ and occurs quite often. So it is worthwhile to remember the style of approach.
Furthermore, we already had a simple example with a cyclic quadrilateral. In example 5
we drew the Thales circle because there both opposite angles were 90◦ . Finally, we do a
difficult example where it is essential to discover the cyclic quadrilaterals.

C C
D D

F F

A A

E E

B B

Figure 17: Example 6 Figure 18: Solution to example 6

Example 6 The points E and F lie on the line BC of the convex quadrilateral ABCD,
where E is closer to B than F (Fig. 17). Let ∠BAE = ∠CDF and ∠EAF = ∠F DE
hold.
Show ∠F AC = ∠EDB.

Solution. (Fig. 18) While trying to solve such problems, you often get lost in countless
auxiliary lines and angles. So it is worth taking the time to make a decent sketch. I often
do it this way: I carefully draw the basic framework with a pen and draw in the rest with
a pencil in different thicknesses depending on the importance. This has the advantage of
being able to erase if needed without having to start all over again.
The first thing to notice in this example is that the two angles over the line EF are
equal: a situation like the Inscribed Angle Theorem! With its inversion we can conclude
that AEF D must be a cyclic quadrilateral. The fact that the inverse of the Inscribed
Angle Theorem holds could be prove like Theorem 6 with Working Backward, but it is
also common knowledge and therefore we skip the proof.
Now comes the difficult part of the problem. We have now found a cyclic quadrilateral
and of course we still have to use the second prerequisite somehow. How can we combine

11
this cleverly? If one does not get any further, the following consideration is often helpful
as an inspiration:
We assume that what we eventually want to show is correct (here ∠F AC = ∠EDB).
What follows from this? Together with the premise and the inversion of the Inscribed
Angle Theorem it follows that ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral. This is not yet a proof, of
course, but we can now be sure that it must hold! We now try to prove this directly from
the premises. Reversing the previous reasoning, we can then finish solving the problem.
We prove that ABCD is a cyclic quadrilateral by showing that ∠ADC + ∠ABC = 180◦
holds.
∠ABC = 180◦ − ∠BEA − ∠BAE = ∠CEA − ∠BAE
For the next steps we first need the condition ∠BAE = ∠CDF , then that AEF D is a
chyclic quadrilateral

∠ABC = ∠CEA−∠BAE = ∠CEA−∠CDF = 180◦ −∠F DA−∠CDF = 180◦ −∠ADC

Therfore ABCD is indeed a cyclic quadrilateral, from this follows quickly what we are
looking for:

∠F AC = ∠BAC − ∠BAF = ∠BDC − ∠BAF = ∠BDC − ∠EDC = ∠EDB

5 Tips for the exam

1. Be sure to take a compass and a ruler or set square with you. Often a geometric
relationship that is important for the solution only becomes apparent when you
have constructed a sketch exactly. It is also good to use different colors for the
overview.
2. Don’t be afraid to draw many different sketches. If you lose track, be persistent
and try again.
3. Once you have found the proof from a sketch, you must write it down correctly,
otherwise you may lose a lot of points. You must make it clear in your proof that
you have seen all the steps necessary to solve it. This also applies to the tasks of
the other topics. It is best to go through the proof again at the end and add to it
if you think that something might be missing (it is better to write too much). In
geometry, the following points in particular must not be forgotten:
(a) If you have introduced placeholders (like α, . . .) you have to write at the be-
ginning of the proof how they are defined (e.g. "‘If α = ∠DAN , β = . . ."’).
Exception: If a triangle ABC is given then, if nothing else is defined, ∠CAB =
α, ∠ABC = β, ∠BCA = γ.
(b) The same applies to auxiliary points, lines, circles, etc. used. As soon as an
object not mentioned in the problem is used, it must be clear how it is defined.

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(c) All the theorems mentioned in this script may be used without mentioning
their name every time (because you need them all the time). But that doesn’t
mean that you don’t have to write down every step. For example, if ABCD
is a cyclic quadrilateral, you could simply write "∠BCA = ∠BDA (arc AB)"
and you wouldn’t need to mention the Inscribed Angle Theorem.

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