What is the geometric locus of triangle orthoprojections in alignment?

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SUMMARY

The geometric locus of points M such that the orthoprojections A', B', and C' onto the sides of triangle ABC are aligned is precisely the circumcircle of triangle ABC. This conclusion is derived from the condition that the angles formed by the segments A'B', A'C', and the segments connecting M to the vertices of the triangle satisfy the equation (A'B', A'C') = 0 (mod π). The analysis confirms that M must lie on the circumcircle for the orthoprojections to be collinear.

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Homework Statement


[/B]
Given a general triangle ABC, find the geometric locus of points such that the three orthoprojection onto the sides of the triangle are aligned.

Homework Equations



Let's call A', B', and C' the orthoprojection of a given point M onto (AB) , (BC) , and (AC).
M satisfies the condition iff ##(A'B',A'C') = 0\ (\mod \pi)##.

The Attempt at a Solution



It's easy to see that ##MA'B'B## and ##MAC'A'## are concyclic which translates into two equations mod ##\pi##: ##(A'B',A'M') = (BB',BM) ( = (BC,BM) )## and ##(A'M,A'C') = (AM,AC)##

Therefore, mod ##\pi##, we have :
##(A'B',A'C') = 0 \iff (A'B',A'M) + (A'M,A'C) = 0 \iff (BC,BM) + (AM,AC) = 0 \iff (BC,BM) = (AC,AM) ##

And we can conclude that A',B',C' are aligned iff M belongs to the circumscribed circle to ABC.

Is this correct ?
 
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geoffrey159 said:

Homework Statement


[/B]
Given a general triangle ABC, find the geometric locus of points such that the three orthoprojection onto the sides of the triangle are aligned.

Homework Equations



Let's call A', B', and C' the orthoprojection of a given point M onto (AB) , (BC) , and (AC).
M satisfies the condition iff ##(A'B',A'C') = 0\ (\mod \pi)##.

The Attempt at a Solution



It's easy to see that ##MA'B'B## and ##MAC'A'## are concyclic which translates into two equations mod ##\pi##: ##(A'B',A'M') = (BB',BM) ( = (BC,BM) )## and ##(A'M,A'C') = (AM,AC)##

Therefore, mod ##\pi##, we have :
##(A'B',A'C') = 0 \iff (A'B',A'M) + (A'M,A'C) = 0 \iff (BC,BM) + (AM,AC) = 0 \iff (BC,BM) = (AC,AM) ##

And we can conclude that A',B',C' are aligned iff M belongs to the circumscribed circle to ABC.

Is this correct ?
Looks good, and rather neat.
 

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