MathDB
Iterated points

Source: Kvant Magazine No. 8 2022 M2711

March 8, 2023
geometryKvant

Problem Statement

Three pairwise externally tangent circles ω1,ω2\omega_1,\omega_2 and ω3\omega_3 are given. Let K12K_{12} be the point of tangency between ω1\omega_1 and ω2\omega_2 and define K23K_{23} and K31K_{31} similarly. Consider the point A1A_1 on ω1\omega_1. Let A2A_2 be the second intersection of the line A1K12A_1K_{12} with ω2\omega_2. The line A2K23A_2K_{23} then intersects ω3\omega_3 the second time at A3A_3, and then line A3K31A_3K_{31} intersects ω1\omega_1 again at A4A_4 and so on.
[*]Prove that after six steps, the process will loop; that is, A7=A1A_7=A_1. [*]Prove that the lines A1A2A_1A_2 and A4A5A_4A_5 are perpendicular. [*]Prove that the triples of lines A1A2,A3A4A_1A_2,A_3A_4 and A5A6A_5A_6 and A2A3,A4A5A_2A_3,A_4A_5 and A6A1A_6A_1 intersect at two diametrically opposite points on the circle (K12K23K31)(K_{12}K_{23}K_{31}).
Proposed by E. Morozov