For triangle ABC, let AD is its internal angle bisector, then we know that (AB)/(AC)=(BD)/(CD)

detineerlf

detineerlf

Answered question

2022-07-23

Proof of angle Bisector Theorem by Vectors
For Δ A B C, let AD is its internal angle bisector, then we know that A B A C = B D C D and I know that it can be proved by geometry by drawing a line through C parallel to AD and extend AB so that it cuts new line and then use various angles and concept of similar triangle to prove our result. But I was wondering if we can prove it with the help of vectors as well?
If we take position vectors of A,B and C as 0 , b and c respectively , then A D can be taken as λ ( b ^ + c ^ ). Could someone help me to proceed after that or provide some alternate approach through vectors?

Answer & Explanation

neobuzdanio

neobuzdanio

Beginner2022-07-24Added 13 answers

Step 1
As mentioned, A D λ ( b ^ + c ^ ) in general. I think there's still a decent looking proof using dot product.
As usual, it helps if you sketch a diagram.
Let's suppose B A D = C A D = θ, where θ is acute, and | B D | : | C D | = r : s. Using the section formula, A D = r r + s A C + s r + s A B .
Then by dot product, A D A C = | A D | | A C | cos θ = r r + s | A C | 2 + s r + s A B A C
(1) | A D | cos θ = r r + s | A C | + s r + s | A B | cos 2 θ .
Step 2
Similarly, by considering A D A B , we have (2) | A D | cos θ = r r + s | A C | cos 2 θ + s r + s | A B | .
Combining 1 and 2 gives r r + s | A C | + s r + s | A B | cos 2 θ = r r + s | A C | cos 2 θ + s r + s | A B | r r + s | A C | ( 1 cos 2 θ ) = s r + s | A B | ( 1 cos 2 θ ) | A B | | A C | = r s = | B D | | C D | .

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