A Diameter As a Diagonal of Inscribed Quadrilateral
Here's a problem from an old Russian problem collection:
Assume that in a cyclic quadrilateral one of the diagonals coincides with a diameter of the circumscribed circle.
Prove that the projections of the opposite sides on the other diagonal are equal.
The applet below illustrates the problem and two solutions:

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Proof 1
Refer to the following diagram.
Extend the perpendiculars AF and CE to a second intersection with the circle in points H and G, respectively. Lines AH and CG are parallel and, emanating from the two ends of a diameter, are, therefore, equal - by symmetry. BF and DE are two perpendiculars to equal chords CG and AH and area, therefore, equal - again by symmetry (in this case one may claim "by paper folding".)
Proof 2
Drop a perpendicular OP from the center O of the circle to BD.
DE = DP - EP = BP - FP = BF.

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Copyright © 1996-2018 Alexander Bogomolny
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