STRANGE THEOREM ABOUT CIRCLES

A NICE APPLICATION

OF

THE AYME's CIRCLE 1

Jean - Louis AYME 2

1c
0
C* B* 1b

B C

Abstract. The author presents a synthetic proof of a Strange theorem about circles which appear
as a developpement of the Sawayama or Thébault’s theorem.
The figures are all in general position and all the theorems quoted can be proved
synthetically.

1
St.-Denis, Île de la Réunion (France)
2
Saint-Denis, Île de la Réunion (Océan Indien, France), 2010
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Summary
A. Two Lemmas and a definition 2
1. A problem from the Leybourn's Mathematical repository or a segmental circle
2. A Sawayama’s result or a chord through the incenter
3. The Ayme's circle
B. A problem from the worhshop of M. G. Sonkin and P.A. Kozevnikov 11
1. The problem
2. The Tournement of towns
3. The "Eleventh Summer Conference" of 1999
C. The synthetic proof 14
D. Annex
1. The Miquel’s pivot theorem
2. Radical axis of two secant circles
3. The Desargues weak theorem'

A. TWO LEMMAS AND A DEFINITION

1. A problem from the Leybourn's Mathematical repository or a segmental circle

VISION

Figure :

M
1
2

A B
J

Features : 1 a circle,
AB a chord of 1,
I the midpoint of one the two arcs AB,
M a point of the arc AB which doesn't contain I,
2 the circle tangent to AB and internally tangent to 1 at M
and J the point of contact of 2 with AB.

Given : I, J and M are collinear. 3

3
Leybourn's Mathematical repository (Nouvelle série) 6 tome I (1811) 209

2
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VISUALIZATION

M
1
2

A B
J

I Ti

Note Ti the tangent to 1 at I.

Conclusion : the tangent circles 1 et 2, the basic point M, the monian IMJ, the parallels Ti and AB,
lead to the Reim's theorem 8' ; consequently, I, M and J are collinear.

Historical note : this kind of San Gaku 4 can be also found at Aichi prefecture (Japon) on a wooden
Tablet dating from 1843 which has vanished to day.

Remarks : (1) 2 is a I-segmental circle wrt 1 and AB.

(2) An orthogonal circle to 2

M 1
4
2
3

B
A
J

I Ti

Note 3 the circle of center I, passing through A

4
Fukagawa H., Pedoe D., 1. 6., Japanese Temple Geometry Problems, Charles Babbage Research Centre (1989) 14, 88-89

3
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and 4 the circle passing through A, J and M.

According to a converse of "The pivot theorem" (Cf. Annexe 1)

applied to triangle IJA with the three concurrent circles 1, 2 and 4, 4 is tangent to IA at A ;
in consequence, 3 is orthogonal to 4 .

Conclusion : according to Gaultier "Radical axis of two secant circles" (Cf. Annexe 2),
I being on the radical axis MJ of 2 and 4, 2 is orthogonal to 3.
5
(3) A tangent to 2

M 1
Tp
2
3
P
A B
J

I Ti

Note P one of the two points of intersection of 2 and 3,

and Tp the tangent to 2 at P.

Conclusion : 2 and 3 being orthogonal, Tp passes through I.

(4) MI is the internal bisector of <AMB. 6

Comment : the Nordic Mathematical Contest (NMC) is a mathematical competition for secondary
school students from the five Nordic countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway
and Sweden.

2. A Sawayama’s result or a chord through the incenter

VISION

Figure :

5
Nordic Mathematical Contest (30 mars 2005) problème 4
6
F. G.-M., Exercices de Géométrie, sixième édition (1920), J. Gabay reprint, 283. Théorème 124

4
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0
K
F

1b

B D E C

Features : ABC a triangle,

I the incenter of ABC,
0 the circumcircle of ABC,
D a point of the segment BC,
1b the B-Thébault circle of ABC wrt AM,
and E, F, K the points of contact of 1b wrt BC, AD, 0.

Given : E, F and I are collinear 7.

VISUALIZATION

1b
K
0

J
N

B D E C

Note M, N the points of intersection of KE, KF with 0

7
Y. Sawayama, A new geometrical proposition, Amer. Math. Monthly, 12 (1905) 222-224

5
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and J the point of intersection of AM and EF.

According to A. 1. A segmental circle, Remark 4, KM is the internal bisector of <BKC.

The point M being the midpoint of the arc BC which does not contain V,
AM is the A-internal bisector of ABC and passes through I.

The tangent circles 0 and 1, the basic point K, the monians MKE and NKF,
lead to the Reim’s theorem 7 ; consequently, MN // JEF.

2
A

1b
K
0

J
N

B D E C

The circle 0, the basic points A and K, the monians MAJ and NKF, the parallels MN and JF,
lead to the Reim’s theorem 0'' ; consequently, A, K, J and F are concyclic.

Note 2 this circle.

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2
A

1b K
0 3

J
N

B D E C

According to Miquel's pivot theorem (Cf. Annex 1)

applied to the triangle AFJ by considering F on AF, E on FJ, J on AJ,
shows that the circle passing through E, J and K is tangent to AJ at J.

Note 3 this circle.

2
A

1b
K
0 3

J, I
N
4

B C
D E

Note 4 the circle with centre at M, passing through B ; it passes through C and I. 8

Remark : 4 is the A-Mention circle of ABC.

8
Catalan E., Livre II, théorème XXI, Théorèmes et problèmes de Géométrie élémentaires (1879) 46 ;
Johnson Roger A., Advanced Euclidean Geometry, Dover, (1965) 185

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According to A. 1. A segmental circle, Remark 2, 4 is orthogonal to 1 ;

9
As M lies on the radical axis of 1 and 3 (Cf. Annex 2) 4 is orthogonal to 3 ;
therefore, MB = MJ
and J = I.

Conclusion : E, F and I are collinear.

Remark : the chord EIF as a bissector

1b K
0

Pf
F
I

B D E C

Note Pf the parallel to BC through F.

Conclusion : FIE is one of the two bissectors of the lines angle determined by AD and Pf.

3. The Ayme's circle

VISION

Figure :

9
Gaultier (de Tours) L., Les contacts des cercles, Journal de l'École Polytechnique, Cahier 16 (1813) 124-214

8
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A
1b
K
0 3

B D E C

Features : ABC a triangle,

I the incenter of ABC,
0 the circumcircle of ABC,
D a point of the segment BC,
1b the B-Thébault circle of ABC wrt AD,
E, F, K the points of contact of 1b wrt BC, AD, 0
and 3 the circle passing resp. through I, E, K.

Given : 3 is tangent to AI at I 10.

Comment : the proof can be seen just before.

3 is a remarkable circle because it is the key of the proof of the Sawayama or Thébault's
theorem 11.
Note that it will be also the key of the proof of this article.
Therefore, the author has decided to give his name to this unexpected circle.

Remark :

10
Strange theorem about circles, Message Hyacinthos # 6504 du 07/02/2003 ; http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hyacinthos/.
11
Ayme J.-L., Sawayama or Thébault’s theorem, Forum Geometricorum vol. 3 (2003) ; http://forumgeom.fau.edu/ ;
G.G.G. vol. 10 ; http://perso.orange.fr/jl.ayme.

9
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A
1b
K
0 3

F
I
1

B C
D E

A'

Note A' the midpoint of the arc AB which doesn't contain A,

and 4 the A-Mention circle of ABC.

Conclusion : A'I = A'B = A'C.

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B. A PROBLEM

FROM

THE WORKSHOP

OF

M. G. SONKIN and P. A. KOZEVNIKOV

1. The problem

VISION

Figure :

1c 1b 0
C* B*

B C

Traits : ABC a triangle,

0 the circumcircle of ABC,
1b, 1c the B, C-segmental circles wrt 0, AC, AB,
B*, C* the points of contact of 1b, 1c wrt AC, AB
T the exterior common tangent which is the nearest to BC.

Donné : B*C* is parallel to BC if 12, an only if 13, T is parallel to BC.

Historical note : this problem has been presented in 2003 by the computer scientist Sergei Markelov 14
on the site Hyacinthos.
A first trigonometric proof was given by the professor Paul Yiu 15.

12
Sonkin M.G. and Kozevnikov P.A., Окружности, вписанные в сегменты, и касательные,
http://www.turgor.ru/lktg/1999/okr.php
13
The author
14
Strange theorem about circles, message Hyacinthos # 6504 du 07/02/2003 ; http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hyacinthos/
15
Yiu P., Strange theorem about circles, message Hyacinthos # 6506 du 07/02/2003 ;

11
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In one of his answer Darij Grinberg 16 precises that this situation can be seen on the
site of Turgor which stands for ''Turnir gorodov'' or Tournament of Towns 17.
Now we know that this geometrical situation has been proposed by M. G. Sonkin and
P.A. Kozevnikov in 1999.
We can also have a look the site Art of Problem Solving 18.

2. The Tournement of Towns

The Tournament of the Towns (Турнир Городов) is a town-based mathematics contest originating in
Russia . The contest was created in 1980 by mathematician Nikolay Konstantinov and has participants from over
100 cities in twenty different countries. It differs from many other similar competitions in that it only picks your
top 3 answers from each paper. There are two rounds in this contest : Spring and Fall.
The first competition was called the Olympiad of Three Towns. They were Moscow, Leningrad and Riga. The
reputation of the competition grew and the following year, it was called Tournament of the Towns.
The authors of the best works are invited to mathematical Conference summer tournament.

3. The "Eleventh Summer Conference" of 1999

The "Eleventh Summer Conference" took place from 1 to August 8, 1999 in Hotel Childhood "CF RUSICHY
Orel" under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, at Maloyaroslavetz (Kaluga oblast).
Its participants are invited students - winners of the international mathematical tournament - and teachers
accompaning it. Note that the logo Samovar is the symbol of the international cities participating in the
Tournament.
The Conference has nothing scientific in the usual sense. It is rather an informal meetings.
In 1999, M. G. Sonkin and P.A. Kozevnikov made the subject of this article

Окружности, вписанные в сегменты, и касательные

or

incircle in a segment and tangent

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hyacinthos/
16
Grinberg D., Strange theorem about circles, message Hyacinthos # 6512 du 07/02/2003 ;
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Hyacinthos/
17
http://www.turgor.ru/
18
Can someone make some reference to this nice geometry?, AoPS du 07/06/2012 ;
http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=482837

12
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образом. Пусть треугольник ABC вписан в окружность . A0, B0 - точки на сторонах BC и CA

соответственно, такие что прямая A0B0 параллельна AB. В сегменты, стягиваемые хордами BC и CA
окружности , не содержащие A и B соответственно, вписаны окружности A, B, касающиеся хорд BC и
CA в точках A0, B0. Докажите, что общая касательная к окружностям A, B, "ближайшая" к AB,
параллельна AB (рис.2).

Let ABC be the triangle with circumcircle w.

Circle w1 is internally tangent to w and w1 is also tangent to segment AB in point K. Circle
w2 is internally tangent to w and also w2 is tangent to segment AC in point L.
Prove that if KL is parallel to AC, then one of the common tangent lines between w1 and w2 is parallel to AC.

19

19
http://www.tournoidesvilles.fr/

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C. THE SYNTHETIC PROOF

VISION

Figure :

1c 1b 0
C* B*

B C

Features : ABC a triangle,

0 the circumcircle of ABC,
1b, 1c the B, C-segmental circles wrt 0, AC, AB,
B*, C* the points of contact of 1b, 1c wrt AC, AB
T the exterior common tangent which is the nearest to BC.

Given : B*C* is parallel to BC if, an only if, T is parallel to BC.

NECESSARY VISUALIZATION

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V
A

1b 0
B*
C*
T' Tb

B C

A'

Note V the point of contact of 1b and 0,

A' the midpoint of the arch BC which doesn't contain A,
T' the tangent to 1b, parallel to BC, which is the nearest to BC
and Tb the point of contact of T' with 1b.

According to A. 1. A segmental circle, V, Tb and A' are collinear.

V
A
1b 0
I*
1
B*
R C* Q
T' Tb

B C

A'

Note Q, R the points of intersection of T' with 0,

I* the incenter of the triangle AQR
and 1 the A-Mention circle of AQR ; it passes through I*.

A' being the midpoint of the arch BC which doesn't contain A,

AA' is the A-inner bissector of the triangle AB*C*.

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According to A. 2. A chord through the incenter, remark,

B*I* is the B*-inner bissector of the triangle AB*C*.

Partial conclusion : I* is also the incenter of AB*C*.

V
A

0
1c I*, I'* 1'
W
B*
R' C* Q'
T" Tc

B C

A'

Note W the point of contact of 1c and 0,

T'' the tangent to 1c, parallel to BC, which is the nearest to BC,
Tc the point of contact of T'' with 1c,
Q', R' the points of intersection of T'' with 0,
I' * the incenter of the triangle AQ'R'
and 1' the A-Mention circle of AQ'R' ; it passes through I'*.

Remark : B*C* is parallel to BC.

Mutatis mutandis, we would prove that I' * is also the incenter of AB*C*.
consequently, I' * and I* are identic.

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A
1b
I* 1, 1'
1c
0
B*
R, R' C* Q, Q'
Tc T Tb

B C

A'

1' and 1 being identic, Q'R', QR and T are identic.

Conclusion : T is parallel to BC.

SUFFICIENT VISUALIZATION

A
1b

1c I*
0
B*
R C* Q
Tc T Tb
I

B C

A'

Note Q, R the points of intersection of T' with 0,

Tb, Tc the point of contact of T wrt 1b, 1c,
A' the midpoint of the arch BC which doesn't contain A
and I, I* the incenters wrt the triangles ABC, AQR.

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According to A. 2. A chord through the incenter, Tb, B* and I* are collinear

Tc, C* and I* are collinear.

Remarks : (1) BI // C*I*

(2) CI // B*I
(3) A, I, I*and A' are collinear.

Conclusion : according to ''The Desargues weak theorem'' (Cf. Annex 3)

applied to ABC and AC*B*, B*C* is parallel to BC.

D. ANNEX

1. The Miquel’s pivot theorem 20

A
1

P J
2 3

B I C

Features : 1, 2, 3 three circles secant in pair,

K, P the points of intersection of 1 and 2,
I one of the points of intersection of 2 and 3,
J one of the points of intersection of 3 and 1,
A a point of 1,
B the second point of intersection of AK with 2
and C the second point of intersection of BI with 3.

Given : CJA is a monian of 3 and 1 if, and only if, 3 passes through P.

2. Radical axis of two secant circles 21

20
Miquel, Théorèmes de Géométrie, Journal de mathématiques pures et appliquées de Liouville vol. 1, 3 (1838) 485-487
21
Gaultier (de Tours) Louis, Les contacts des cercles, Journal de l'École Polytechnique, Cahier 16 (1813) 124-214

18
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O O'
B
1 2

Features : 1, 2 two secant circles,

O, O' the centers of 1, 2,
A, B the points of intersection of 1 and 2,
3 an orthogonal circle to 2
and I the center of 3.

Given : I is on AB if, and only if, 3 is orthogonal to 2.

3. The Desargues weak theorem

C'

C B'

O A A'

Features : ABC a triangle

and A'B'C' a triangle so that (1) AA' and BB' concur at O
(2) AB parallel to A'B'
(3) BC parallel to B'C'.

Given : CC' goes through O if, and only if, AC is parallel to A'C'.

19