Click to Translate Whole Page to Read and Solve

Τρίτη 9 Μαΐου 2023

The Butterfly Theorem - 25 Proofs

According to Coxeter and Greitzer, one of the solutions to the Butterfly theorem was submitted in 1815 by W. G. Horner of Horner's method fame. Most recently a 1805 proof by William Wallace has been discovered in Wallace's family archives. Still, later it was found that Wallace's posting of a more general problem dates to 1803.
The solutions I gathered below may serve as a basis for a discussion of which proofs better clarify the gist of the problem, if at all. Why is the result true? (See the discussions on Concyclic Circumcenters: Dynamic View and A Sequel.)
Theorem
Let M be the midpoint of a chord PQ of a circle, through which two other chords AB and CD are drawn; AD cuts PQ at X and BC cuts PQ at Y
Prove that M is also the midpoint of XY.