Power of a Point

Suren
: surenxyz0@gmail.com
December 2018

1 Introduction

We begin by stating a well known theorem.

Theorem (Angles in a segment).

All the angles subtended in the same segment of a circle are equal.

***

Based on this theorem, we find that cyclic quadrilaterals have many pairs
of equal angles. After this revelation we go on a hunt for similar triangles
and after that we define a powerful tool in olympiad geometry called Power
of a Point.

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2 Power of a Point
Consider the following two configurations in cyclic quadrilaterals.
B X

P
A B
P

Figure 1. Configurations in Power of point.

Exercise: Try to prove that ∆PAY ∼ ∆PXB

Tip: Use directed angles if you want to handle both configurations at once!!
Now, since ∆P AY ∼ ∆P XB ;we get

PA PY
= ⇒ PA · PB = PX · PY
PX PB

It is time for a formal definition without taking points A,B,X,Y into account.

Power of a Point (Definition)

The power of a point P with respect to a circle ω with centre O and radius r
is defined as
P owω (P ) = OP 2 − r2

P owω (P ) is positive, if P is outside the circle; zero, if P is on the circum-

ference of the circle; negative, if P is inside the circle. Thus, the power of a
point with respect to a circle does not depend on the line AB.

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Notice that if A lies on the circle ω, the line AA is the tangent to the circle
ω at A.
To see how this is true, notice the behaviour of the line AB (A, B lie on the
circumference) as B moves closer and closer to A.

Theorem (Length of tangents)

The length p
of the tangent to a circle ω from an external point P
is equal to P owω (P )

***
ADD TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE
The power of the point P(a,b) with respect to
the circle

(x − α)2 + (y − β)2 − r2 = 0

P owω (P )=(x − a)2 + (y − b)2 − r2

3 Converse of Power of a Point

Theorem (Converse of Power of a Point)
Let A, B, X, Y be four points in the plane and the lines AB and XY
intersect at P.If P A · P B = P X · P Y then A, B, X, Y are concyclic.

4 Radical Axis and the Radical Centre

Use of radical axis and the radical centre is one of the reasons why the topic
of ’Power of a Point’ becomes so important from math contests’ point of
view.

4.1 The Radical Axis

The radical axis of two circles is defined as the locus of the point which has
equal powers with respect to the two circles. Note that the radical axis is
also called the power line of two circles. For any point P on the radical axis,

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there is a unique circle centered on P that intersects both circles orthogo-

nally; conversely, the center of any circle that cuts both circles orthogonally
lies on the radical axis.
The radical axis of two distinct circles is always a straight line.

Figure 2.The two most important configurations how radical axes appear
on contest problems.

If the circles intersect each other, their radical axis is the secant passing
through the two points of intersection of the circles (the common chord ex-
tended in both directions). If the circles are tangent to each other, their
radical axis is just the common tangent of the two circles. These two are the
most important characterizations of the radical axis of two circles. Note that
the radical axis does not exist for a pair of concentric circles.
Another important characterization of the radical axis is that it is perpen-
dicular to the line joining the centres of the two circles.

4.2 Radical Centre of Three Circles

The radical axes of three circles pairwise are all concurrent (probably at the
point at infinity; by the way this case occurs if the centres of the three circles

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are collinear) or are the same line.

Proof: Let the three circles be ω1 , ω2 , ω3 and l12 denote the radical axis of ω1

and ω2 . Define l23 and l13 similarly. Let R denote the intersection point of
l12 and l23 . Then, by the definition of a radical axis, we get

P owω1 (R) = P owω2 (R) = P owω3 (R)

So the point R lies on the line l13 as well.

***

Figure 3. The radical centre of three intersecting circles

Coaxial Circles If a set of circles have the same radical axes pairwise, then
these circles are said to be coaxial.

Tip :When you want to prove in a problem that three lines are concurrent
and the question mentions some concyclic points, the best way to think is

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to treat the lines as the radical axes of some circles. It is beneficial as you
no longer have to worry about concurrence and proving concyclicity is much
easier than proving concurrence. Don’t be fooled though!! Do not waste time
thinking just in terms of radical axes and the radical centre. If it doesn’t
work, Ceva’s theorem is your friend.

Caution : Never forget the special case in which the radical axes are all
parallel or are the same line.

5 Euler’s Theorem
This can be stated as a lemma on a contest.
Lemma : In a triangle, the distance between the circumcentre and the
incentre is given by p
R(R − 2r)
where R denotes the circumradius and r denotes the inradius of the triangle.

I represents the incentre of triangle ABC. Let D be the mid point of the
arc BC not containing A. This means that ray AI intersects the circumcircle
of ∆ABC at D. E be the diagonally opposite point of D in the circumcircle
of ∆ABC. Since we want to prove that 2Rr = R2 − OI 2 which is in turn
equal to −P owω (I) where ω denotes the circumcircle of ∆ABC, it suffices
to show that AI · ID = 2Rr. We know that sin6 A2 = AIr
. In ∆BDE we have
6 BED = 6 A . So we get sin6 A = DB . This yields
2 2 ED

r DB
= ⇒ AI · DB = 2Rr
AI 2R
Claim : The circumcentre of ∆IBC is D.
This is also an important fact to be recognised on a contest problem. In fact,
the excentre opposite to A also lies on this circumcircle.

Proof of Claim : Exercise

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E
A

O
I

B C

Figure 4. Euler’s Theorem

The claim implies that DB = DI. Now we are in a position to write out
the proof of the lemma systematically.

Solution to Lemma 1. I represents the incentre of triangle ABC. Let D

be the mid point of the arc BC not containing A. This means that ray AI
intersects the circumcircle of ∆ABC at D. E be the diagonally opposite point
of D in the circumcircle of ∆ABC.
A B
6 DBI = 6 DBC + 6 CBI = 6 DAC + 6 CBI = 6 +6
2 2
A B
6 DIB = 6 IBA + 6 IAB = 6 +6
2 2

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So, ∆DIB is isosceles with DI = DB and 6 DBK = 90◦

Compairing the values of sin6 A2 , we get

r DB
= ⇒ AI · DB = 2Rr ⇒ AI · ID = 2Rr
AI 2R
Let ω denote the circumcircle of ∆ABC. We have,

P owω (I) = (−2Rr) ⇒ OI 2 − R2 = −2Rr ⇒ OI 2 = R2 − 2Rr

Corollary : In any triangle, the following holds

R ≥ 2r

6 Problems
1. Prove that the common chord of two intersecting circles when extended
bisects the common tangents to the two circles.

2.In a quadrilateral ABCD which is not a trapezium, let the sidelines BC

and AD intersect in P and the lines AB and CD intersect in Q. Prove that
the mid points of the segments AC, BD, P Q are collinear.
Note- The line through the mid points of these segments is called the Newton-
Gauss line of the quadrilateral.
If you are not able to solve this one, move on to Problem-3 and use its result
to solve Problem-2

3. (Gauss-Bodenmiller Theorem) Let ABCD be a quadrilateral which

is not a trapezium. Lines AD and BC intersect in P and the lines AB and
CD intersect in Q. Then prove that the circles with diameters AC, BD, P Q
are coaxial and their radical axis is a line passing through each of the four

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orthocentres of the triangles P AB, P CD, QAD, QBC.

Note - The radical axis of these circles is called the Steiner line of the
quadrilateral.

4. Let D, E, F be the foot of perpendiculars from A, B, C onto the sides

BC, CA, AB and O be the circumcentre of a scalene ∆ABC. Prove that the
circumcircles of the triangles AOD, BOE, COF are coaxial. (share a second
intersection point other than O. )

Z
A

B
P Y

Figure 5. The Steiner line (red) of the quadrilateral ABCD

5. Prove that in ∆ABC , the mid points of the sides and the feet of altitudes
on the sidelines are concyclic. ( Do not use the homothety-based proof of

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the Nine-Point Theorem. Find another proof using the converse of power of
a point)

6. In ∆ABC, D and E be points on sides AB and AC such that DEkBC.

Let F, G be points on the line DE such that D, E lie between F and G, D
lies between E and F and E lies between G and D. Let the lines BF and
CG intersect at H. Prove that H lies on the radical axis of the circumcircles
of triangles AF E and ADG.

7. Let ABC be an acute triangle. The altitude through B intersects the circle
with diameter AC at points P and Q and the altitude through C intersects
the circle with diameter AB at points R and S. Prove that P, Q, R, S are
concyclic.
Note- Remember this configuration in which the chords of the two circles
intersect on their radical axis.

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