2.7 Quadrilaterals With An Inscribed Circle

62
Geometry and Trigonometry
Fig. 2.29
Problem 2.59 Let M be a point in the interior of triangle ABC. Three lines are
drawn through M, parallel to triangles sides, determining three trapezoids. One
draws a diagonal in each trapezoid such that they have no common endpoints, dividing thus ABC into seven parts, four of them being triangles (see Fig. 2.29).
Prove that the area of one of the four triangles equals the sum of the areas of the
other three.
2.7 Quadrilaterals with an Inscribed Circle

Everybody knows that in any triangle one can inscribe a circle whose center is at
the intersection point of the angles bisectors.
What can we say about a quadrilateral? If there exists a circle touching all the
quadrilaterals sides, then its center is equidistant from them, hence it lies on all four
angle bisectors. We deduce that a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence
of an inscribed circle is that the quadrilaterals angle bisectors are concurrent (in
fact, this works for arbitrary convex polygons).
This does not happen in every quadrilateral. We can always draw a circle tangent
to three of the four sides (its center being the point of intersection of two of the
bisectors) (Fig. 2.30).
If three of the four angle bisectors meet at one point, it is easy to see that the
fourth one will also pass through that point and that a circle can be inscribed in the
quadrilateral.
Another necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of an inscribed circle
in a quadrilateral is given by the following theorem, due to Pithot.
Theorem Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral. There exists a circle inscribed in
ABCD if and only if:
AB + CD = AD + BC.
Proof Suppose there exists a circle inscribed in the quadrilateral, touching the sides
AB, BC, CD and DA at the points K, L, M, N , respectively. Then, since the tan-
63
Fig. 2.30
Fig. 2.31
gents from a point to a circle have equal lengths, we have AK = AN, BK =

BL, CM = CL and DM = DN (Fig. 2.31).
If we add up these equalities, we obtain the desired result.

Conversely, suppose AB + CD = AD + BC. Draw a circle tangent to AB, BC
and CD. If the circle is not tangent to AD, draw from A the tangent to the circle
and let E be the point of intersection with CD. Suppose, for instance, that E lies in
the interior of CD (Fig. 2.32).
Since the circle is inscribed in the quadrilateral ABCE, we have AB + CE =
AE + BC. On the other hand, from the hypothesis, we have AB + CD = AD + BC,
or AB + CE + ED = AD + BC. From these, we derive ED + AE = AD, which
is impossible. It follows that the circle is also tangent to AD, hence it is inscribed
in ABCD.
If E lies outside the line segment CD, the proof is almost identical.
64
Geometry and Trigonometry
Fig. 2.32
Fig. 2.33
Another nice proof of the converse is the following: if AB = AD then BC = CD

and the conclusion is immediate. Suppose, with no loss of generality, that AB <
AD, and let X AD be such that AB = AX. Let Y CD be such that DX = DY .
Since AB + CD = AD + BC, it follows that CY = BC (Fig. 2.33).
Thus, the triangles ABX, DXY and CY B are isosceles, so the perpendicular
bisectors of the sides BX, XY and Y B of triangle BXY are also the angle bisectors
of A, D, and C of the quadrilateral. Since the perpendicular bisectors of the
sides of a triangle are concurrent, we obtain the desired conclusion.
Problem 2.60 Prove that if in the quadrilateral ABCD is inscribed a circle with
center O, then the sum of the angles AOB and COD equals 180 .
Problem 2.61 Let ABCD be a quadrilateral with an inscribed circle. Prove that the
circles inscribed in triangles ABC and ADC are tangent to each other.
Problem 2.62 Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral. Suppose that the lines AB and
CD intersect at E and the lines AD and BC intersect at F , such that the points E
and F lie on opposite sides of the line AC. Prove that the following statements are
equivalent:
65
Fig. 2.34
(i) a circle is inscribed in ABCD;

(ii) BE + BF = DE + DF ;
(iii) AE AF = CE CF .
Problem 2.63 Let ABCD be a convex quadrilateral. Suppose that the lines AB
and CD intersect at E and the lines AD and BC intersect at F . Let M and N be
two arbitrary points on the line segments AB and BC, respectively. The line EN
intersects AF and MF at P and R. The line MF intersects CE at Q. Prove that if
the quadrilaterals AMRP and CNRQ have inscribed circles, then ABCD has an
inscribed circle (Fig. 2.34).
Problem 2.64 The points A1 , A2 , C1 and C2 are chosen in the interior of the sides
CD, BC, AB and AD of the convex quadrilateral ABCD. Denote by M the point
of intersection of the lines AA2 and CC1 and by N the point of intersection of
the lines AA1 and CC2 . Prove that if one can inscribe circles in three of the four
quadrilaterals ABCD, A2 BC1 M, AMCN and A1 NC2 D, then a circle can be also
inscribed in the fourth one.
Problem 2.65 A line cuts a quadrilateral with an inscribed circle into two polygons
with equal areas and equal perimeters. Prove that the line passes through the center
of the inscribed circle.
Problem 2.66 In the convex quadrilateral ABCD we have B = C = 120 , and
AB 2 + BC 2 + CD 2 = AD 2 .
Prove that ABCD has an inscribed circle.
Problem 2.67 Let ABCD be a quadrilateral circumscribed about a circle, whose
interior and exterior angles are at least 60 . Prove that

1 3
AB AD 3 BC 3 CD 3 3 AB 3 AD 3 .
3
When does equality hold?

2.7 Quadrilaterals With An Inscribed Circle

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62

Geometry and Trigonometry

2.7 Quadrilaterals with an Inscribed Circle

2.7 Quadrilaterals with an Inscribed Circle

gents from a point to a circle have equal lengths, we have AK = AN, BK =

Geometry and Trigonometry

Another nice proof of the converse is the following: if AB = AD then BC = CD

2.7 Quadrilaterals with an Inscribed Circle

(i) a circle is inscribed in ABCD;

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