What is the geometric locus of triangle orthoprojections in alignment?

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The geometric locus of points M for which the orthoprojections A', B', and C' onto the sides of triangle ABC are aligned is the circumcircle of triangle ABC. The condition for alignment is expressed mathematically as (A'B', A'C') = 0 (mod π). The proof involves showing that the triangles formed by the projections are concyclic, leading to two key equations. Ultimately, the alignment condition simplifies to a relationship between the segments of the triangle and the point M. Thus, M must lie on the circumcircle for the projections 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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