023. Circle in Circle

For a circle OO with diameter AB\overline{AB}, there exists a chord ll perpendicular to AB\overline{AB}. Suppose there exists a circle O1O_1 inside circle OO such that O1O_1 is tangent to circle OO at point PP and tangent to ll at point QQ. Prove that the line PQ\overline{PQ} intersects AB\overline{AB} on circle OO.


Consider the situation shown in the figure below.

023

The tangent line at point PP on circle OO is perpendicular to both PO1\overline{PO_1} and PO\overline{PO}, so points PP, O1O_1, and OO lie on the same line.

Let θ\theta denote the smaller angle formed by line PO\overline{PO} and line AB\overline{AB}. Since ll is perpendicular to both AB\overline{AB} and QO1\overline{QO_1}, AB\overline{AB} and QO1\overline{QO_1} are parallel. Therefore, QO1O=θ\angle{QO_1O} = \theta.

Triangle O1PQO_1PQ is isosceles, so QPO1=θ/2\angle{QPO_1} = \theta / 2.

Therefore, by the property of inscribed angles, points PP, QQ, and BB lie on a straight line.


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