Construction ruler and compass [logic]

Question

Carl is given three distinct non-parallel lines $ell_1, ell_2, ell_3$ and a circle $omega$ in the plane. In addition to a normal straightedge, Carl has a special straightedge which, given a line $ell$ and a point $P$, constructs a new line passing through $P$ parallel to $ell$. (Carl does not have a compass.) Show that Carl can construct a triangle with circumcircle $omega$ whose sides are parallel to $ell_1,ell_2,ell_3$ in some order.
Attempt: To build a triangle with a circle, just have $ 3 $ points in that circle, at each point draw a line tangent to the circle and parallel to one of the given lines.
Am I right?

Will Jagy · Accepted Answer

Alright, the Poncelet-Steiner theorem says we can do anything a compass and straightedge can do, if only we can construct the center of the given circle. That turns out to be fairly easy. Given any line, we can construct a diameter of the fixed circle that is perpendicular to the line. Now that I think of it (it's not in the diagram) we might as well make that first diameter, then simply make the diameter perpendicular to that. The intersection of the two (perpendicular) diameters is the center of the circle.

See attached diagram. The fixed circle is in red, so is the initial line being used.

Given two diameters that are not identical, the center is just where the diameters intersect.

So, the original problem ( inscribed triangle) can be solved. We know that by

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poncelet%E2%80%93Steiner_theorem

Construction ruler and compass [logic]

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