Lesson 6-2

Angle Bisectors
Learn  Angle Bisectors Today’s Goals
Prove theorems and
●

You may recall that an angle bisector divides an angle into two solve problems about
congruent angles. The angle bisector can be a line, segment, or ray. angle bisectors.
Prove theorems and
●

Theorem 6.4: Angle Bisector Theorem apply geometric

Words If a point is on the bisector of an angle, then it is equidistant methods to solve
from the sides of the angle. design problems using
⟶ ⟶ the angle bisectors of
Example If BF ​​ ¯ ⊥ BD ​​
​​   bisects ∠DBE, ​​ FD ​​ ​​  ,  triangles.
¯ ⊥ BE ​​⟶
and ​​ FE ​​ ​​  , then DF = FE.
Today’s Vocabulary
D incenter
F

B
E
Theorem 6.5: Converse of the Angle Bisector Theorem
Words If a point in the interior of an angle is equidistant from the
sides of the angle, then it is on the bisector of the angle.
⟶ ¯ ⟶
​​  ¯ ⊥ BD ​​
Example If FD ​​ ​​  , FE ​​
​​   ⊥ BE ​​
​​  , and
⟶
DF = FE, then BF ​​ ​​   
bisects ∠DBE.
D
F

Study Tip
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B Angle Bisector In the

E
figure below, there is
You will prove Theorems 6.4 and 6.5 in Exercises 17 and 18, respectively. not enough information
⟶
to conclude that BD ​​​​   
Example 1  Use the Angle Bisector Theorem bisects ∠ABC. You
Find QT. must also know that
⟶
⟶ ​​  ¯ ⊥ BA ​​
AD ​​ ​​   and
​​ RT ​​  is the angle bisector of ∠QRS. ⟶
​​  ¯ ⊥ BC ​​
CD ​​ ​​  . 
QT = ST Angle Bisector Theorem Q 4x + 8
A B
4x + 8 = 9x - 7 Substitution T
−5x = -15 Simplify. 9x - 7
D
x = 3 Simplify.
S C
So, QT = 4( 3 ) + 8 or 20 . R
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Lesson 6-2 • Angle Bisectors 357

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 Your Notes Check 
Find SP.
SP = 17
M
3x + 5

S 6x - 7

J P

Example 2  Use the Converse of the Angle Bisector

Theorem
Find m∠ZYW. X
→ ¯ →
Because WX ​​ ​​  ¯ ⊥ YX ​​
​​  , WZ ​​
​​   ⊥ YZ ​​
​​  , and 5
WX = WZ, W is equidistant from
38° W
the sides of ∠XYZ. By the Converse 5
of the Angle Bisector Theorem,
⟶
​​  YW ​​  bisects ∠XYZ. Y Z

∠ ZYW ≅ ∠XYW Definition of angle bisector

m∠ ZYW = m∠XYW Definition of congruent angles

m∠ZYW = 38° Substitution

Check
Find m∠JKL.
m∠JKL = 37° J L

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37°
K M

Explore Relationships Formed by Angle Bisectors

Online Activity Use dynamic geometry software to complete
the Explore.

 INQUIRY What relationships exist among the

angle bisectors in triangles?

Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.

358 Module 6 • Relationships in Triangles

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 Learn  Angle Bisectors of Triangles
Think About It!
Because a triangle has three angles, it also has three angle bisectors. Determine whether the
The angle bisectors of a triangle are concurrent, and their point of statement is sometimes,
concurrency is called the incenter of a triangle. always, or never true.
Theorem 6.6: Incenter Theorem Justify your argument.
Words The angle bisectors of a triangle intersect at a point called The angle bisectors of
the incenter that is equidistant from the sides of the triangle. a triangle intersect at a
point that is equidistant
Example If P is the incenter of △ABC, A from the vertices of the
then PD = PE = PF. triangle.
E
D Sometimes; sample
answer: If the triangle is
P equilateral, then this is
true, but if the triangle is
B F C isosceles or scalene, the
statement is false.
You will prove Theorem 6.6 in Exercise 19.

Example 3  Use the Incenter Theorem

P is the incenter of △XYZ. Find m∠LZP.
X
P is the incenter of △XYZ, so XP ​​ ​​  ¯ bisects 24.6°
¯ ¯
∠LXK, ​​ YP ​​  bisects ∠KYJ, and ZP ​​
​​   bisects
∠LZJ. Thus, m∠LXK = 2m∠PXK. So,
m∠LXK = 2(24.6) or 49.2°. K
Likewise, m∠KYJ = 2m∠PYJ, L P
so m∠KYJ = 2(25.1) or 50.2°.
7.3
Find m∠LZJ using the Triangle
Angle-Sum Theorem. Z 5.6 J 25.1° Y
m∠LXK + m∠KYJ + m∠LZJ = 180° Triangle Angle-Sum Theorem
49.2 + 50.2 + m∠LZJ = 180° Substitution
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m∠LZJ = 80.6° Simplify.

​​  ¯ bisects ∠LZJ,

Because ZP ​​
2m∠LZP = m∠LZJ. This means that 28.5° C
D
m∠LZP = ​​ __
1 B 33.9°
2  ​​m
  ∠LZJ, so
​​  2  ​​(  80.6 ) or 40.3° .
1
m∠LZP = __

J F
Check E
Find each measure if J is the incenter 10.6
of △ABC. 9.4
JF = 4.9

m∠JAC = 27.6° A
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Lesson 6-2 • Angle Bisectors  359

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 Example 4  Using Angle Bisectors in Design
Problems
COURTYARD A new art sculpture will be placed in the courtyard of a
high school. The entrances to the courtyard are located at points A,
B, and C. Find the location of the center of the sculpture so that it is
equidistant from the sides of the courtyard.

y
10
9
8 B
7
6
5
4
3
2
C
1
x
OA 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16

The incenter of a triangle is equidistant from the sides of the triangle.

Use a compass and straightedge or dynamic geometry software to
construct the angle bisectors of △ABC. Find the intersection point of
the angle bisectors to determine where the center of the sculpture
should be located.
The intersection of the angle bisectors appears to be at about
(8.3, 4.4). So, the center of the sculpture should be located
at (8.3, 4.4).

Check
HOME IMPROVEMENT  Tyrice’s parents want to install a hot tub on
the back deck of their house. The vertices of the deck are located at
points X, Y, and Z. Find the location of the center of the hot tub so it is

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equidistant from the edges of the deck. If necessary, round your
answer to the nearest whole number.

y (4, 7)
Y (1, 10) Z (11, 10)

Go Online
You may want to
complete the
O X (1, 0) x
construction activities
for this lesson. Go Online You can complete an Extra Example online.

360 Module 6 • Relationships in Triangles

THIS MATERIAL IS PROVIDED FOR INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED OR FURTHER DISTRIBUTED.