Geometry – Prove Points M, N, P, Q are Coplanar and Concyclic

anglecirclesgeometrytriangles

the question

Consider the tetrahedron $ABCD$, with the perpendicular edge $AD$
on the $(BCD)$ plane. Let $X$ be some point of the edge $AD$ and the point $Y$ on
$(AD)$ such that $m(∠Y CD) = m(∠DAB)$. The circle with the center $O_1$,which is on $CD$ passing through
through $C$ and $X$ intersect $AC$ and $CY$ in $P$ and $Q$ is denoted by $C_1$, and the circle with
the center $O_2$,which is on $BD$ passing through $B$ and $X$ cuts $AB$ and $BY$ in $M$ and $N$, denoted by
$C_2$. Show that the points $M, N, P, Q$ are coplanar and concyclic.

my idea

drawings

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I tried working with angles and inscribed quadrilaterals but got to nothing useful.

I don't know how to start! I hope one of you can help me! Thank you!

Best Answer

The key is to realize that this three-dimensional problem is really just a folded two-dimensional problem. Unfold the figure along hinge $AD$ to get a nice, flat $\triangle ABC$.

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Define $\beta := \angle BAD$ and $\gamma := \angle CAD$. As a minor convenience, we'll assume $\angle A$ is non-obtuse (the obtuse case is largely the same), and define $\alpha := 90^\circ-\beta-\gamma$.

The condition $\angle YCD=\angle DAB\;(=\beta)$ implies that $\overline{CY}\perp\overline{AB}$; this makes $Y$ the orthocenter of our flattened triangle, which in turn implies $\overline{BY}\perp\overline{AC}$ and $\angle YBD=\angle DAC\;(=\gamma)$. Moreover, $\angle ABY=\angle ACY=\alpha$.

Define $X'$ as the reflection of $X$ in $\overline{BC}$. The circle conditions imply that $BMNXX'$ and $CPQXX'$ are each cyclic. The fact that the circles have common chord $\overline{XX'}$ whose extension contains $A$ implies that $A$ has a common power with respect to both circles; likewise for $Y$. Thus, we can write $$\begin{align} |AB||AM|=|AC||AP| &\quad\to\quad \frac{|AB|}{|AC|}=\frac{|AP|}{|AM|} \quad\to\quad \triangle ABC \sim \triangle APM \tag1\\[6pt] |YB||YN|=|YC||YQ| &\quad\to\quad \frac{|YB|}{|YC|}=\frac{|YQ|}{|YN|} \quad\to\quad \triangle YBC \sim \triangle YQN \tag2 \end{align}$$

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Matching-up corresponding angles in the similar triangles, we have $$\begin{align} \angle AMP &=\angle ACB=\alpha+\beta \tag3\\ \angle APM &=\angle ABC=\alpha+\gamma \tag4 \\[8pt] \angle YNQ &=\angle YCB=\beta \quad\to\quad \angle BMN = \beta \quad\to\quad \angle AMN=\alpha+\beta \tag5 \\ \angle YQN &=\angle YBC=\gamma \quad\to\quad \angle CQP \;\,= \gamma \quad\to\quad \angle APQ \;\,= \alpha+\gamma \tag6 \end{align}$$

Since $\angle AMP = \angle AMN$, we have that $M$, $N$, $P$ are collinear; likewise for $M$, $Q$, $P$. Let the line through these four points meet $\overline{AD}$ at $Z$; since $Z$ is on the extended common chord $\overline{XX'}$, we have $$|ZM||ZN| = |ZP||ZQ| \tag7$$

Finally, re-fold the figure along $\overline{AD}$ to restore the three-dimensional tetrahedron. The collinearity of $M$, $N$, $P$, $Q$, $Z$ becomes coplanarity. Moreover, taking the left-hand side of $(7)$ as computing the power of $Z$ with respect to the circumcircle of $\triangle MNP$, the equality with the right-hand side implies that $Q$ must lie on that circle. Done!

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