Advanced Lemmas in Geometry

Fedir Yudin
March 2020

Abstract
A good knowledge of lemmas makes difference between being able to
solve easy (i.e IMO 1/4 level) and medium-hard (i.e. IMO 2/3/5/6 level)
geometry problems. In this article I present several lemmas that can help
you overcome this barrier.

1 Iran lemma
1.1 Main lemma
Let ABC be a triangle. Let I be the incenter, Ma , Mb , Mc be the midpoints of
BC, CA, AB and let Ta , Tb , Tc be the points of tangency of the incircle with
BC, CA, AB. Then AI, Ma Mb , Ta Tc and the circle with diameter AC concur.
Proof. Let X be the projection of C onto AI. We’ll show that X is the desired
concurrency point; it clearly lies on AI and the circle with diameter AC. Note
that ∠CMb X = 2∠CAX = ∠CAB, so Mb X k AB and X lies on Ma Mb . Also,
X lies on the circle with diameter CI, so ∠Tb Ta X = ∠Tb CX = 90◦ − ∠A 2 =
∠Tb Ta Tc , so X lies on Ta Tc .
A

Tc
Mc Mb
Tb
I

B Ma Ta C

1
1.2 Example
(Sharygin 2019 9.7) Let the incircle ω of 4ABC touch AC and AB at points
E and F respectively. Points X, Y of ω are such that ∠BXC = ∠BY C = 90◦ .
Prove that EF and XY meet on the medial line of ABC.

Solution. Let Ma , Mb , Mc be the midpoints of BC, CA, AB and let T =

Mb Mc ∩ EF . It suffices to prove that T lies on the radical axis of ω and the
circle with diameter BC. By Iran lemma, EF and the circle with diameter BC
intersect at two points P and Q, lying on Ma Mb and Ma Mc , respectively. Then
TE T Mb TP
Mb E k Mc Q and Mc F k Mb P , so = = =⇒ T E · T F = T P · T Q
TQ T Mc TF
and the conclusion follows.
A

T Mc Mb

F
Q
P
E

B Ma C

1.3 Practice problems

Problem 1.1. (RMM 2020/1) Let ABC be a triangle with a right angle at C.
Let I be the incentre of triangle ABC, and let D be the foot of the altitude
from C to AB. The incircle ω of triangle ABC is tangent to sides BC, CA,
and AB at A1 , B1 , and C1 , respectively. Let E and F be the reflections of C
in lines C1 A1 and C1 B1 , respectively. Let K and L be the reflections of D in
lines C1 A1 and C1 B1 , respectively.
Prove that the circumcircles of triangles A1 EI, B1 F I, and C1 KL have a
common point.

2
Problem 1.2. (USA TST 2015/1) Let ABC be a non-isosceles triangle with
incenter I whose incircle is tangent to BC, CA, AB at D, E, F , respectively.
Denote by M the midpoint of BC. Let Q be a point on the incircle such that
∠AQD = 90◦ . Let P be the point inside the triangle on line AI for which
M D = M P . Prove that either ∠P QE = 90◦ or ∠P QF = 90◦ .

Problem 1.3. (ISL 2000 G8) Let AH1 , BH2 , CH3 be the altitudes of an acute
angled triangle ABC. Its incircle touches the sides BC, AC and AB at T1 , T2
and T3 respectively. Consider the symmetric images of the lines H1 H2 , H2 H3
and H3 H1 with respect to the lines T1 T2 , T2 T3 and T3 T1 . Prove that these
images form a triangle whose vertices lie on the incircle of ABC.

Problem 1.4. (Iran TST 2009/9) In triangle ABC, D, E and F are the points
of tangency of incircle with the center of I to BC, CA and AB respectively.
Let M be the foot of the perpendicular from D to EF . P is on DM such that
DP = M P . If H is the orthocenter of BIC, prove that P H bisects EF .
Problem 1.5. (Sharygin 2015 9.8) The perpendicular bisector of side BC of
triangle ABC meets lines AB and AC at points AB and AC respectively. Let Oa
be the circumcenter of triangle AAB AC . Points Ob and Oc are defined similarly.
Prove that the circumcircle of triangle Oa Ob Oc touches the circumcircle of the
original triangle.
Problem 1.6. Let ABC be a triangle. Line `a cuts segments equal to BC on
rays AB and AC. `b and `c are defined similarly. Prove that the circumcircle
of the triangle determined by `a , `b , `c is tangent to the circumcircle of 4ABC.
Problem 1.7. (ISL 2004 G7) For a given triangle ABC, let X be a variable
point on the line BC such that C lies between B and X and the incircles of the
triangles ABX and ACX intersect at two distinct points P and Q. Prove that
the line P Q passes through a point independent of X.
Problem 1.8. (ELMO 2016/6) Elmo is now learning olympiad geometry. In
triangle ABC with AB 6= AC, let its incircle be tangent to sides BC, CA,
and AB at D, E, and F , respectively. The internal angle bisector of ∠BAC
intersects lines DE and DF at X and Y , respectively. Let S and T be distinct
points on side BC such that ∠XSY = ∠XT Y = 90◦ . Finally, let γ be the
circumcircle of 4AST .
(a) Help Elmo show that γ is tangent to the circumcircle of 4ABC.
(b) Help Elmo show that γ is tangent to the incircle of 4ABC.
Problem 1.9. (Taiwan TST 2015 quiz 3/2) In a scalene triangle ABC with
incenter I, the incircle is tangent to sides CA and AB at points E and F . The
tangents to the circumcircle of triangle AEF at E and F meet at S. Lines EF
and BC intersect at T . Prove that the circle with diameter ST is orthogonal to
the nine-point circle of triangle BIC.

3
2 Isogonal conjugation in polygons
2.1 Main lemma
Let A = A1 A2 . . . An be a convex polygon and P be a point in its interior. Then
P has an isogonal conjugate with respect to A if and only if the projections of
P onto the sides of A are concyclic.
To prove the main lemma, we’ll need the following additional claim.
Claim. Rays OP and OQ are isogonal in angle XOY if and only if the four
projections of P and Q onto OX and OY lie on a circle; moreover, the center
of the circle is the midpoint of P Q.
Proof. Let PX and QX be the projections of P and Q onto OX, and let PY and
QY be their projections onto OY . Then OP and OQ are isgonal ⇐⇒ ∠XOP =
∠Y OQ ⇐⇒ ∠OP PX = ∠OQQY ⇐⇒ ∠OPY PX = ∠OQX QY ⇐⇒ PX ,
PY , QX , QY are concyclic. Moreover, the perpendicular bisectors of PX QX and
PY QY are midlines of right trapezoids PX QX QP and PY QY QP , respectively,
so the circle has to be centered at the midpoint of P Q.
O

QX
QY
Q PY

PX

X Y

Now we are ready to prove the lemma itself.

Proof. If P and Q are isogonal conjugates, the claim implies that the projections
of P and Q onto any pair of neighboring sides of A lie on the circle centered at
the midpoint of P Q, so it easily follows that all of them lie on the same circle.
Similarly, if the projections of P onto the sides of A lie on a circle, we define
Q as the reflection of P about the center of the circle. Then the projections
of Q onto the sides of A lie on the same circle, and we’re done again by the
lemma.

Usually we have to deal with the case n = 4. For quadrilaterals, there also
is the following property.
Claim. Point P has an isogonal conjugate with respect to the quadrilateral
ABCD if and only if ∠AP B + ∠CP D = 180◦ .

4
Proof. let PAB , PBC , PCD , PDA be the projections of P onto the sides of
ABCD. Then we have ∠PDA PAB PBC + ∠PBC PCD PDA = ∠PDA PAB P +
∠P PAB PBC +∠PBC PCD P +∠P PCD PDA = ∠PDA AP +∠P BPBC +∠PBC CP +
∠P DPDA = 360◦ − ∠P AB − ∠ABP − ∠P CD − ∠CDP = ∠AP B + ∠CP D, so
PAB PBC PCD PDA is cyclic ⇐⇒ ∠PDA PAB PBC + ∠PBC PCD PDA = 180◦ ⇐⇒
∠AP B + ∠CP D = 180◦ .
B
PBC

PCD
PAB
P

A
PDA

2.2 Example
(ISL 2008 G6) There is given a convex quadrilateral ABCD. Prove that there
exists a point P inside the quadrilateral such that

∠P AB+∠P DC = ∠P BC+∠P AD = ∠P CD+∠P BA = ∠P DA+∠P CB = 90◦

if and only if the diagonals AC and BD are perpendicular.

Solution. If such P exists, then the angle conditions implies that ∠AP B +
∠CP D = 180◦ , so P has an isogonal conjuate Q. By the angle condition again,
it must satisfy ∠AQB = ∠BQC = ∠CQD = ∠DQC = 90◦ , so Q is the point
of intersection of perpendicular diagonals of ABCD.
If ABCD has perpendicular diagonals intersecting at Q, then the isogonal
conjugate of Q with respect to ABCD satisfies the conditions.

5
 B

A C
Q

2.3 Practice problems

Problem 2.1. (EGMO 2019/1) Let ABC be a triangle with incentre I. The
circle through B tangent to AI at I meets side AB again at P . The circle
through C tangent to AI at I meets side AC again at Q. Prove that P Q is
tangent to the incircle of ABC.
Problem 2.2. (Sharygin 2015 8.8) Points C1 , B1 on sides AB, AC respectively
of triangle ABC are such that BB1 ⊥ CC1 . Point X lying inside the triangle
is such that ∠XBC = ∠B1 BA, ∠XCB = ∠C1 CA. Prove that ∠B1 XC1 =
90o − ∠A.
Problem 2.3. (All-Russian 2017 11.8) Given a convex quadrilateral ABCD.
We denote by IA , IB , IC and ID centers of ωA , ωB , ωC and ωD , inscribed in
the triangles DAB, ABC, BCD and CDA, respectively. It turned out that
∠BIA A + ∠IC IA ID = 180◦ . Prove that ∠BIB A + ∠IC IB ID = 180◦ .
Problem 2.4. (IMO 2018/6) A convex quadrilateral ABCD satisfies AB·CD =
BC · DA. Point X lies inside ABCD so that

∠XAB = ∠XCD and ∠XBC = ∠XDA.

Prove that ∠BXA + ∠DXC = 180◦ .

3 Isogonal lemma
3.1 Main lemma
Suppose that ∠AOB and ∠COD have the same angle bisector `. If E = AC ∩
BD and F = AD ∩ BC, then ` is also the angle bisector of ∠EOF .

6
 sin AOE sin AOF
Proof. We use trigonometric Ceva’s theorem in 4OAB. =
sin EOB sin F OB
sin OAE sin ABE sin OAF sin ABF sin OAC sin ABC sin OAD sin ABD
= =
sin EAB sin EBO sin F AB sin F BO sin OBC sin BAC sin OBD sin BAD
sin AOC sin AOD
= 1 and the lemma follows.
sin COB sin DOA
O

E
D

B
C F

3.2 Example
(Sharygin 2018 9.7) Let B1 , C1 be the midpoints of sides AC, AB of a triangle
ABC respectively. The tangents to the circumcircle at B and C meet the rays
CC1 , BB1 at points K and L respectively. Prove that ∠BAK = ∠CAL.

Solution. Let G = BB1 ∩ CC1 and S = BK ∩ CL. Since AS is the symmedian

in 4ABC, AG and AS are isogonal in ∠BAC. Now we’re done by Isogonal
lemma.

7
 K A

C1 B1

B C

3.3 Practice problems

Problem 3.1. (Folklore) Cevians AA1 , BB1 , CC1 of 4ABC concur. Prove
that ∠B1 A1 A = ∠AA1 C1 ⇐⇒ AA1 ⊥ BC.

Problem 3.2. (Sharygin 2013/20, correspondence round) Let C1 be an arbi-

trary point on the side AB of triangle ABC. Points A1 and B1 on the rays BC
and AC are such that ∠AC1 B1 = ∠BC1 A1 = ∠ACB. The lines AA1 and BB1
meet in point C2 . Prove that all the lines C1 C2 have a common point.
Problem 3.3. (ISL 2006 G3) Let ABCDE be a convex pentagon such that

∠BAC = ∠CAD = ∠DAE and ∠ABC = ∠ACD = ∠ADE.

The diagonals BD and CE meet at P . Prove that the line AP bisects the side
CD.
Problem 3.4. (ISL 2007 G3) The diagonals of a trapezoid ABCD intersect at
point P . Point Q lies between the parallel lines BC and AD such that ∠AQD =
∠CQB, and line CD separates points P and Q. Prove that ∠BQP = ∠DAQ.
Problem 3.5. (RMM 2016/1) Let ABC be a triangle and let D be a point on
the segment BC, D 6= B and D 6= C. The circle ABD meets the segment AC
again at an interior point E. The circle ACD meets the segment AB again at
an interior point F . Let A0 be the reflection of A in the line BC. The lines A0 C
and DE meet at P , and the lines A0 B and DF meet at Q. Prove that the lines
AD, BP and CQ are concurrent (or all parallel).

8
Problem 3.6. (ISL 2011 G4) Let ABC be an acute triangle with circumcircle
Ω. Let B0 be the midpoint of AC and let C0 be the midpoint of AB. Let D be
the foot of the altitude from A and let G be the centroid of the triangle ABC.
Let ω be a circle through B0 and C0 that is tangent to the circle Ω at a point
X 6= A. Prove that the points D, G and X are collinear.

Problem 3.7. (ELMO SL 2018 G5) Let scalene triangle ABC have altitudes
AD, BE, CF and circumcenter O. The circumcircles of 4ABC and 4ADO
meet at P 6= A. The circumcircle of 4ABC meets lines P E at X 6= P and P F
at Y 6= P . Prove that XY k BC.

4 Linearity of PoP
4.1 Main lemma
Let P (X, ω) denote the power of X with respect to ω. Then P (X, ω1 )−P (X, ω2 )
is a linear function of X.
Proof. Let O1 = (x1 , y1 ) and O2 = (x2 , y2 ) be the centers of ω1 , ω2 and let r1 , r2
be their radii. If X = (x, y), then P (X, ω1 )−P (X, ω2 ) = P O12 −r12 −P O22 +r22 =
(x − x1 )2 + (y − y1 )2 − (x − x2 )2 − (y − y2 )2 + r22 − r12 = x(−2x1 − 2x2 ) + y(−2y1 −
2y2 ) + x21 − x22 + y12 − y22 + r22 − r12 , which is a linear function of x and y.

4.2 Example
(ELMO SL 2013 G3) In 4ABC, a point D lies on line BC. The circumcircle
of ABD meets AC at F (other than A), and the circumcircle of ADC meets
AB at E (other than A). Prove that as D varies, the circumcircle of AEF
always passes through a fixed point other than A, and that this point lies on
the median from A to BC.
Solution. Let D1 and D2 be two different points on BC and let E1 , F1 ,
E2 , F2 be the corresponding intersection points. It suffices to prove that
M , the midpoint of BC, lies on the radical axis of (AE1 F1 ) and (AE2 F2 ).
By Linearity of PoP, P (M, (AE1 F1 )) − P (M, (AE2 F2 )) = 12 (P (B, (AE1 F1 )) +
P (C, (AE1 F1 )) − P (B, (AE2 F2 )) − P (C, (AE2 F2 ))) = 12 (BA · BF1 + CA · CE1 −
BA · BF2 − CA · CE1 ) = 12 (BC · BD1 + CB · CD1 − BC · BD2 − CB · CD2 =
BC(BD1 + CD1 ) − BC(BD2 + CD2 )) = 0, as desired.

9
 A

F1
F2 E2

E1

B M D2 D1 C

4.3 Practice problems

Problem 4.1. (USAMO 2013/1) In triangle ABC, points P , Q, R lie on sides
BC, CA, AB respectively. Let ωA , ωB , ωC denote the circumcircles of triangles
AQR, BRP , CP Q, respectively. Given the fact that segment AP intersects ωA ,
ωB , ωC again at X, Y , Z, respectively, prove that Y X/XZ = BP/P C.
Problem 4.2. (RMM SL 2017 G3) Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral and let
P and Q be variable points inside this quadrilateral so that ∠AP B = ∠CP D =
∠AQB = ∠CQD. Prove that the lines P Q obtained in this way all pass through
a fixed point, or they are all parallel.
Problem 4.3. (Inspired by the above problem) In trapezoid ABCD with bases
AB and CD, points P and Q are chosen such that ∠BP C = ∠BQC = 180◦ −
∠DP A = 180◦ − ∠DQA. If U = AC ∩ BD and V = BC ∩ DA, prove that P Q
passes through the projection of U onto the line through V and parallel to AB.
Problem 4.4. (Ukraine TST 2013/6) Let A, B, C, D, E, F be six points, no
three collinear and no four concyclic. Let P , Q, R be the intersection points of
perpendicular bisectors of pairs of segments (AD, BE), (BE, CF ), (CF, DA),
and P 0 , Q0 , R0 be the intersection points of perpendicular bisectors of pairs of
segments (AE, BD), (BF, CE), (CA, DF ). Show that P 6= P 0 , Q 6= Q0 , R 6= R0
and prove that P P 0 , QQ0 , RR0 are concurrent or all parallel.
Problem 4.5. (IMO 2019/6) Let I be the incentre of acute triangle ABC with
AB 6= AC. The incircle ω of ABC is tangent to sides BC, CA, and AB at
D, E, and F , respectively. The line through D perpendicular to EF meets ω at
R. Line AR meets ω again at P . The circumcircles of triangle P CE and P BF
meet again at Q.
Prove that lines DI and P Q meet on the line through A perpendicular to
AI.

10
5 Hints
Hint 1.2. Construct phantom point using Iran lemma.
Hint 1.4. Use midpoint of altitude lemma.
Hint 1.5. Draw tangents to the circumcircle at A, B, C.
Hint 1.6. Draw lines parallel to BC, CA, AB through A, B, C.

Hint 1.8. How are X and Y related to 4AST ?

Hint 1.9. Construct points on the nine-point circle of BIC using Iran lemma.
Prove that S lies on the polar of T wrt this circle.
Hint 2.1. Use the ”degenerate case” of the lemma.

Hint 2.4. Find a quadrilateral similar to ABCD.

Hint 3.1. Use isogonal lemma with A1 as the vertex of angle.
Hint 3.4. In the isogonal lemma, some intersection points may be at the infinity.

Hint 3.6. Use isogonal lemma with X as the vertex of angle.

Hint 3.7. Use isogonal lemma with P as the vertex of angle.
Hint 4.3. What do we know about P and Q from before?
Hint 4.4. The lemma also works for 0-radius circles.

Hint 4.5. Sum of two linear functions is linear.

11