Difference between revisions of "Angle bisector theorem"
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− | # | + | {{WotWAnnounce|week=June 6-12}} |
+ | |||
+ | == Introduction & Formulas == | ||
+ | The '''Angle bisector theorem''' states that given [[triangle]] <math>\triangle ABC</math> and [[angle bisector]] AD, where D is on side BC, then <math> \frac cm = \frac bn </math>. It follows that <math> \frac cb = \frac mn </math>. Likewise, the [[converse]] of this theorem holds as well. | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Further by combining with [[Stewart's theorem]] it can be shown that <math>AD^2 = b\cdot c - m \cdot n</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | <asy> size(200); defaultpen(fontsize(12)); real a,b,c,d; pair A=(1,9), B=(-11,0), C=(4,0), D; b = abs(C-A); c = abs(B-A); D = (b*B+c*C)/(b+c); draw(A--B--C--A--D,black); MA(B,A,D,2,green); MA(D,A,C,2,green); label("$A$",A,(1,1));label("$B$",B,(-1,-1));label("$C$",C,(1,-1));label("$D$",D,(0,-1)); dot(A^^B^^C^^D,blue);label("$b$",(A+C)/2,(1,0));label("$c$",(A+B)/2,(0,1));label("$m$",(B+D)/2,(0,-1));label("$n$",(D+C)/2,(0,-1)); </asy> | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Proof == | ||
+ | |||
+ | By the [[Law of Sines]] on <math>\angle ACD</math> and <math>\angle ABD</math>, | ||
+ | |||
+ | <cmath>\begin{align*}\frac{AB}{BD}&=\frac{\sin(BDA)}{\sin(BAD)}\ | ||
+ | \frac{AC}{CD}&=\frac{\sin(ADC)}{\sin(CAD)}\end{align*}</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
+ | First, because <math>\bar{AD}</math> is an angle bisector, we know that <math>m\angle BAD = m\angle CAD</math> and thus <math>\sin(BAD) = \sin(CAD)</math>, so the denominators are equal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Second, we observe that <math>m\angle BDA + m\angle CDA = \pi</math> and <math>\sin(\pi - \theta) = \sin(\theta)</math>. | ||
+ | Therefore, <math>\sin(BDA) = \sin(CDA)</math>, so the numerators are equal. | ||
+ | |||
+ | It then follows that <cmath>\frac{AB}{BD}=\frac{\sin(BDA)}{\sin(BAD)} = \frac{AC}{CD}</cmath> | ||
+ | |||
+ | == Examples & Problems == | ||
+ | |||
+ | # Let ABC be a triangle with angle bisector AD with D on line segment BC. If <math> BD = 2, CD = 5,</math> and <math> AB + AC = 10 </math>, find AB and AC.<br> '''''Solution:''''' By the angle bisector theorem, <math> \frac{AB}2 = \frac{AC}5</math> or <math> AB = \frac 25 AC </math>. Plugging this into <math> AB + AC = 10 </math> and solving for AC gives <math> AC = \frac{50}7</math>. We can plug this back in to find <math> AB = \frac{20}7 </math>. | ||
+ | # In triangle ABC, let P be a point on BC and let <math> AB = 20, AC = 10, BP = \frac{20\sqrt{3}}3, CP = \frac{10\sqrt{3}}3 </math>. Find the value of <math> m\angle BAP - m\angle CAP </math>. <br> '''''Solution:''''' First, we notice that <math> \frac{AB}{BP}=\frac{AC}{CP} </math>. Thus, AP is the angle bisector of angle A, making our answer 0. | ||
+ | # Part '''(b)''', [[1959 IMO Problems/Problem 5]]. | ||
+ | |||
+ | == See also == | ||
+ | * [[Angle bisector]] | ||
+ | * [[Geometry]] | ||
+ | * [[Stewart's theorem]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Category:Geometry]] | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[Category:Theorems]] |
Revision as of 15:24, 9 May 2021
This is an AoPSWiki Word of the Week for June 6-12 |
Introduction & Formulas
The Angle bisector theorem states that given triangle and angle bisector AD, where D is on side BC, then . It follows that . Likewise, the converse of this theorem holds as well.
Further by combining with Stewart's theorem it can be shown that
Proof
By the Law of Sines on and ,
First, because is an angle bisector, we know that and thus , so the denominators are equal.
Second, we observe that and . Therefore, , so the numerators are equal.
It then follows that
Examples & Problems
- Let ABC be a triangle with angle bisector AD with D on line segment BC. If and , find AB and AC.
Solution: By the angle bisector theorem, or . Plugging this into and solving for AC gives . We can plug this back in to find . - In triangle ABC, let P be a point on BC and let . Find the value of .
Solution: First, we notice that . Thus, AP is the angle bisector of angle A, making our answer 0. - Part (b), 1959 IMO Problems/Problem 5.