Dynamics of ellipses inscribed in quadrilaterals

Abstract

Let Q be a convex quadrilateral in the xy plane and let int(Q) denote the interior of Q. Let D_1 and D_2 denote the diagonals of Q and let P denote their point of intersection. For (i)-(iii), let P_0 = (x_0,y_0) be a point in the interior of Q. We prove the following: (i) If P_0 does not lie on D_1 or on D_2, then there are exactly two ellipses inscribed in Q which pass through P_0. (ii) If P_0 does lie on D_1 or on D_2, but does not equal P, then there is exactly one ellipse inscribed in Q which passes through P_0. (iii) There is no ellipse inscribed in Q which passes through P. (iv) If P_0 lies on the boundary of Q, but P_0 is not one of the vertices of Q, then there is exactly one ellipse inscribed in Q which passes through P_0(and is thus tangent to Q at one of its sides).