Gliding principle

psi241
August 3, 2019

This handouts will present one of theorem in euclidean geometry, gliding principle, and some problems
that you may use this theorem to solve. This theorem can be used in problems about similar triangles or
similar shapes. The reader should be familiar with directed angle and directed length before reading this
article.

0 Notation
+
In this handout, For any polygons P = P1 P2 ...Pn , Q = Q1 Q2 ...Qn , the symbol P ∼ Q means P and Q
−
are similar and have same orientation. The symbol P ∼ Q means P and Q are similar but have different
orientation. For both symbols, Pi , Qi are corresponding vertex for all i = 1, 2, ..., n.

1 Spiral similarity
This section shows some theorem about spiral similarity that I need to prove the gliding principle.
Definition 1.1. (Spiral Similarity)
Spiral similarity is geometric transformation given by composition of a rotation with angle θ and a homothety
with ratio k, both are about the center O. So, it sends a point A to A0 where ]AOA0 = θ and OA0 = k · OA.

B0

C0
C
B A0

From the definition, we can observe these corollaries.

1
Theorem 1.4. (Existence of spiral similarity between two segments)
If ABDC is not a parallelogram, there exists a unique spiral similarity that sends A 7→ B, C 7→ D.

Proof.
O

O
B
A B A

D
C D X C

If AB and CD are parallel, let O be the intersection of AC and BD. We see that ]COD = ]AOB and
OD OB
OC = OA . So there exists a spiral similarity for this case.

If AB and CD intersect each other at X. Let O be another intersection of circumcircle of ACX and BDX.
By angle chasing, 4OAC ∼ 4OBD. Therefore, there exists a spiral similarity that sends A to B and C to
D with angle ]AOB and ratio OBOA .

For any point E 6= A, C, if the spiral similarity that sends A to B and C to D, sends E to F , then
FB
]F BD = ]EAC and BD = EA
AC . Hence, point F can be uniquely constructed. This concludes that there
exists a unique spiral similarity. 
Next theorem follows from this one.
Theorem 1.5. (Existence of spiral similarity between similar polygon)
+
Let P = P1 P2 ...Pn and Q = Q1 Q2 ...Qn be polygons such that P ∼ Q and they can not be transformed to
each other by only translations. Then there exists a unique spiral similarity that sends P to Q.

Proof. By theorem 1.4, there exists unique spiral similarity with center O that sends P1 to Q1 and P2 to
+ +
Q2 because P1 Q1 Q2 P2 is not a parallelogram. For all integers 3 ≤ i ≤ n, P1 P2 Pi ∼ Q1 Q2 Qi since P ∼ Q.
So, from corollary 1.3, this spiral similarity sends Pi to Qi for all i = 1, 2, ..., n. 

2 Gliding Principle
Next is our main theorem.
Theorem 2.1. (Gliding Principle)
+
Let P = P1 P2 ...Pn and Q = Q1 Q2 ...Qn be polygons such that P ∼ Q and λ be a real number. Polygon
+ +
R1 R2 ...Rn is given by PPi Q
Ri
= λ for all i = 1, 2, ..., n. Then R1 R2 ...Rn ∼ P1 P2 ...Pn ∼ Q1 Q2 ...Qn .
i i

This theorem is motivated by this observation: I draw lines joining all pairs of corresponding vertices. I
”glide” each vertex of P with fixed velocity so that each vertex moves to Q in 1 second. For any 0 ≤ t ≤ 1
second after points begin moving, what shape should the points form?

2
 Q2
R2 Q1

P2 Q3
R3 R1
P3
P1 R5 Q5
Q4
R4
P4 P5
+ +
The answer is they should form the polygon R such that P ∼ Q ∼ R.
To prove this theorem, there is a complex-bashing proof which is easy to find. So, I will present synthetic
proofs instead. The first proof uses spiral similarity.
+
Proof. We can prove this theorem by just proving the case n = 3, because if P1 P2 ...Pn ∼ R1 R2 ...Rn
+ +
and P Pi Pj ∼ RRi Rj , then P P1 P2 ...Pn ∼ RR1 R2 ...Rn . Let we call P1 , P2 , P3 , Q1 , Q2 , Q3 , R1 , R2 , R3 by
A, B, C, D, E, F, X, Y, Z respectively.
~ 4ABC can also be translated to
In the case that 4ABC can be translated to 4DEF with vector AD,
~
4XY Z with vector AX.
O

X D E
A

C
B
Z
F

Otherwise, we observe that there exists a spiral similarity with center O (This is the reason why the orientation
+ +
condition is necessary.) that maps 4ABC 7→ 4XY Z. This gives that 4OAD ∼ 4OBE ∼ 4OCF . The
+ +
ratios condition gives 4OAX ∼ 4OBY ∼ 4OCZ. Thus, There exists another spiral with center O sending
4ABC 7→ 4XY Z.
Therefore, 4ABC, 4DEF, 4XY Z are similar to each other and all have the same orientation. 

3
 Here is an alternative proof.
Proof. As in the first proof, It suffices to prove this theorem for n = 3.
Define A, B, C, D, E, F, X, Y, Z as same as the first proof.

X D E
A

Y
Y0

C
Z F

Z0

Let AY intersect a line passing through E and parallel to AB at Y 0 ; and AZ intersect a line passing through
0 0
Y 0E
F parallel to AC at Z 0 . Since YABE = ZACF and DE DF DE
AB = AC , so Z 0 F = DF .
+
Because 4ABC ∼ 4DEF , we obtain that ]Y 0 ED = ](AB, DE) = ](AC, DF ) = ]Z 0 F D
+ +
Hence, we get that 4DEY 0 ∼ DF Z 0 , so as 4DEF ∼ 4DY 0 Z 0 .
Now, we have a homothety with center A which sends 4DY 0 Z 0 to 4XY Z. So, we are done.

3 Examples
I will present applications of gliding principle with these two problems.
Example 3.1.
Let 4ABC be an acute scalene triangle. BE, CF are altitudes of this triangle. Y, Z are midpoints of BF, CE
−
respectively. X is a point such that 4XY Z ∼ 4ACB. Prove that BX = CX.
+
First, let’s point out some ideas. We see two similar triangles with same orientation, 4AEF ∼ 4XZY .
Furthermore, Y, Z are defined by being the midpoints of BF, CE that we can eaily relate them to 4ABC.
Hence, we can glide it to other triangle. This is an idea to approach this problem.
A X A0

E
F
Z
Y

B C
+ −
Proof. Let A0 be the reflection of A across X. We see that 4XZY ∼ 4AEF ∼ 4ABC and BF
YF
= CE
ZE
=
A0 A 0 + − 0
XA
= 2. By gliding principle, 4A BC ∼ 4AF E ∼ ABC. Therefore A must be the reflcetion of A across the
perpendicular bisector of BC. This implies that X lies on perpendicular bisector of BC or BX = CX.

4
Example 3.2. (IMO shortlist 2016/G5)
Let D be the foot of perpendicular from A to the Euler line (the line passing through the circumcenter and
the orthocenter) of an acute scalene triangle ABC. A circle ω with center S passes through A and D, and it
intersects sides AB and AC at X and Y respectively. Let P be the foot of altitude from A to BC, and let
M be the midpoint of BC. Prove that the circumcenter of triangle XSY is equidistant from P and M .
Let Z be the circumcenter of XSY . First thing, Points X, Y, S are only points which related to Z. By angle
chasing, each angle XY Z is always same so gliding principle may help to show that another vertex Z of XY Z
lies on a line not depend on choice of S by proving only two cases. Next we need to find propoties of X, Y
and how they change depended on S. To deal with S easier, homothety S with ratio 2 and center A gives
that new point lies on the Euler line. This leads to the below solution. This leads to the below solution.
A

S
D Y
X H

T
Z O

B P M C

Proof. Let AS intersect the Euler line at T and H, O be the orthocenter and circumcenter of 4ABC. We
see that AT is diameter of AXY . Note that T X ⊥ AB, T Y ⊥ AC. Let Z be the circumcenter of 4XSY .
Because S can be chosen from only on the perpendicular bisector of AD, we see that we can define point
X, Y, S, Z from point T which can be chosen arbitrarily from the Euler line. We will show that Z always lies
on perpendicular bisector of P M
Case I T = H
We see that X = F ,Y = E where BE, CF are altitudes of 4ABC and S is midpoint of AH. Clearly,
circumcenter of 4XSY is nine-point center of 4ABC, call this point N . We’ve known that N lies on
perpendicular bisector of P M .
A

H
N O

B P M C

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Case II T = O
We see that X = MC , Y = MB where MC , MB are midpoints of AB, AC.
Let O0 , Q be the circumcenters of 4AMB MC , 4O0 MB MC . In this case, O0 Q is perpendicular to MC MB .
so O0 Q is a line equidistant to altitude from A and the perpendicular line from O to BC. So, Q lies on the
perpendicular bisector of P M .
A

O0
MC MB
H

Q
B P M C

Case III T 6= H, O
+
Because 4XZY is always an isosceles triangle with ]XZY = 2 · ]XSY = 4 · ]BAC. So, 4XZY ∼
+
4F N E ∼ 4MC QMB . We see that MXFF = MY EE = OH TH
. Let Z 0 be the point on the perpendicular bisector
C B
0 + +
of P M such that ZQNN TH
= OH . By gliding principle, 4XZ 0 Y ∼ 4F N E ∼ 4MC QMB .
0
This implies that Z = Z . In summary, Z lies on the perpendicular bisector of P M .
A

E
F Y
X MB
MC

N
Z
Q
B P M C

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4 Problems
Problem 1. (ERIQ lemma) Let ABCD be a quadrilateral. E, F be a point on AB, CD respectively such
AE
that EB = DF
FC
. Let X, Y, Z respectively be a point on AB, CD, EF such that

AX BY EZ
= = .
XD YC ZF
Show that X, Y, Z collinear.
Problem 2. (IMO shortlist 2018/G2) Let ABC be a triangle with AB = AC, and let M be the midpoint
of BC. Let P be a point such that P B < P C and P A is parallel to BC. Let X and Y be points on the line
P B and P C, respectively, so that B lies on segment P X, C lies on the segment P Y , and ∠P XM = ∠P Y M .
Prove that quadrilateral AP XY is cyclic.
Problem 3. Let ABCD be a cyclic quadrilateral. F, G, M, N are midpoints of AD, BC, AC, BD respectively.
K, L are the feet of altitudes from E to AD, BC respectively. P, Q are points such that quadrilaterals F ELP
and GEKQ are parallelograms. Prove that M N P Q is an isosceles trapizoid.
Problem 4. (IMO shortlist 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 5. (Russia 2001 Grade 9/3) Let N be a point on the longest side AC of a triangle ABC. The
perpendicular bisectors of AN and N C intersect AB and BC respectively at K and M . Prove that the
circumcenter O of 4ABC lies on the circumcircle of triangle KBM .
Problem 6. (IMO shortlist 2009/G6) Let the sides AD and BC of the quadrilateral ABCD (such that AB
is not parallel to CD) intersect at point P . Points O1 and O2 are circumcenters and points H1 and H2 are
orthocenters of triangles ABP and CDP , respectively. Denote the midpoints of segments O1 H1 and O2 H2
by E1 and E2 , respectively. Prove that the perpendicular from E1 on CD, the perpendicular from E2 on AB
and the lines H1 H2 are concurrent.
Problem 7. (IMO shortlist 2017/G3) Let O be the circumcenter of an acute triangle ABC. Line OA
intersects the altitudes of ABC through B and C at P and Q, respectively. The altitudes meet at H. Prove
that the circumcenter of triangle P QH lies on a median of triangle ABC.
Problem 8. (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.

Hints are given in the next page.

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5 Hints
These are hints of the problems in previous section.
1. Degenerate triangle
2. Use condition about angle to construct cyclic quadrilateral. Then, glide them to AP XY
3. Because M, N are midpoints. Try to make P, Q be midpoint of some segment. Then use gliding to
conclude the result.
4. There are given three similar triangle with same orientation. Consider midpoint of some side of all given
triangle.
5. When we move N to A, C, we can find an angle in 4KOM easily. These two triangles, 4KOM when
N = A and N = C, are similar to each others. For other point N , we can use gliding principle with it.
6. You need to find two similar triangles and relation between P, H1 , H2 , O1 , O2 , E1 , E2 , then delete A, B, C, D.
Find a pair of similar triangle to use gliding principle.
+ −
7. Let AD, BE, CF be altitude from A, B, C respectively. It’s easy to see that 4P QH ∼ 4AEF ∼ 4ABC.
We try to glide the circumcenter of P QH. Try this observation: Glide circumcenter of these triangle.
+ +
4AEF ∼ 4HP 0 Q0 ∼ 4A0 BC where D is midpoint of A, A0 and P 0 , Q0 define to relate with P, Q and to
satisfy some condition.
8.It is hard to find properties of line P Q unless you construct the correct point on that line. Then you will
find similar triangles to use gliding principle.

References
[1] Yufei Zhao. Three Lemmas in Geometry, 2010.
[2] Nguyen Hoang Son. E.R.I.Q lemma and applications.

[3] https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/q1h1671271p10723286
[4] https://artofproblemsolving.com/community/c6h355793p11311141