Loading [MathJax]/jax/output/HTML-CSS/jax.js

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest videos, updates, and tips.


Equations of the Bisectors of the Angles between Two Straight Lines

We will learn how to find the equations of the bisectors of the angles between two straight lines.

Prove that the equation of the bisectors of the angles between the lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 are given by a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = ±a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22.

Let us assume the two given straight lines be PQ and RS whose equations are a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 respectively, where c1 and c2 are of the same symbols.

First we will find the equations of the bisectors of the angles between the lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0.

Now, let us assume that the two straight lines PQ and RS intersect at T and ∠PTR contains origin O.

Again, let us assume that TU is the bisector of ∠PTR and Z(h, k) is any point on TU. Then the origin O and the point Z are on the same side of both the lines PQ and RS.

Therefore, c1, and (a1h + b1k + c1) are of the same symbols and c2 and (a2h + b2k + c2) are also of the same symbols.

Since, we already assumed that c1, and c2, are of the same symbols, thus, (a1h + b1k + c1) and (a2h + b2k + c2) shall be of the same symbols.

Therefore, the lengths of the perpendiculars from Z upon PQ and RS are of the same symbols. Now, if ZA ⊥ PQ and ZB ⊥ RS then it implies that ZA = ZB.

a1h+b1k+c1a21+b21 = a2h+b2k+c2a22+b22

Therefore, the equation to the locus of Z (h, k) is,

a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22………… (i), which is the equation of the bisector of the angle containing the origin.


Algorithm to find the bisector of the angle containing the origin:

Let the equations of the two lines be a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0.

To find the bisector of the angle containing the origin, we proceed as follows:

Step I: First check whether the constant terms c1 and c2 in the given equations of two straight lines are positive or not. Suppose not, then multiply both the sides of the equations by -1 to make the constant term positive.

Step II: Now obtain the bisector corresponding to the positive symbol i.e. 

a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = + a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22, which is the required bisector of the angle containing the origin.

Note:

The bisector of the angle containing the origin means the bisector of that angle between the two straight lines which contains the origin within it.

Again, ∠QTR does not contain the origin. Suppose, TV be the bisector of ∠QTR and Z'(α, β) be any point on TV then the origin O and Z' are on the same side of the straight line (PQ) but they are on opposite sides of the straight line RS.

Therefore, c1 and (a1α + b1β + c1) are of the same symbols but c2 and (a2α + b2β + c2), are of opposite symbols.

Since, we already assumed that, c1, and c2, are of the same symbols, thus, (a1α + b1β + c1) and (a2α + b2β + c2) shall be of opposite symbols.

Therefore, the lengths of the perpendiculars from Z' upon PQ and RS are of opposite symbols. Now, if Z'W ⊥ PQ and Z'C ⊥ RS then it readily follows that Z'W = -Z'C

a1α+b1β+c1a21+b21 = - a2α+b2β+c2a22+b22 

Therefore, the equation to the locus of Z' (α, β) is

a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = - a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22 ………… (ii), which is the equation of the bisector of the angle not containing the origin.

From (i) and (ii) it is seen that the equations of the bisectors of the angles between the lines a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 are a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = ±a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22.

Note: The bisectors (i) and (ii) are perpendicular to each other.


Algorithm to find the bisectors of acute and obtuse angles between two lines:

Let the equations of the two lines be a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0. To separate the bisectors of the obtuse and acute angles between the lines we proceed as follows:

Step I: First check whether the constant terms c1 and c2 in the two equations are positive or not. Suppose not, then multiply both the sides of the given equations by -1 to make the constant terms positive.

Step II: Determine the symbols of the expression a1a2 + b1b2.

Step III: If a1a2 + b1b2 > 0, then the bisector corresponding to “ + “ symbol gives the obtuse angle bisector and the bisector corresponding to “ - “ is the bisector of the acute angle between the lines i.e.

a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = + a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22 and a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = - a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22

are the bisectors of obtuse and acute angles respectively.

If a1a2 + b1b2 < 0, then the bisector corresponding to “ + “ and “ - “ symbol give the acute and obtuse angle bisectors respectively i.e.

a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = + a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22 and a1x+b1y+c1a21+b21 = - a2x+b2y+c2a22+b22

are the bisectors of acute and obtuse angles respectively.


Solved examples to find the equations of the bisectors of the angles between two given straight lines:

1. Find the equations of the bisectors of the angles between the straight lines 4x - 3y + 4 = 0 and 6x + 8y - 9 = 0.

Solution:

The equations of the bisectors of the angles between 4x - 3y + 4 = 0 and 6x + 8y - 9 = 0 are

4x3y+442+(3)2 = ± 6x+8y962+82

4x3y+45 = ±6x+8y910

⇒ 40x - 30y + 40 = ±(30x + 40y - 45)

Taking positive sign, we get,

⇒ 40x - 30y + 40 = +(30x + 40y - 45)

⇒ 2x - 14y + 17 = 0

Taking negative sign, we get,

⇒ 40x - 30y + 40 = -(30x + 40y - 45)

⇒ 40x - 30y + 40 = -30x - 40y + 45

⇒ 70x + 10y - 5 = 0

Therefore the equations of the bisectors of the angles between the straight lines 4x - 3y + 4 = 0 and 6x + 8y - 9 = 0 are 2x - 14y + 17 = 0 and 70x + 10y - 5 = 0.


2. Find the equation of the obtuse angle bisector of lines 4x - 3y + 10 = 0 and 8y - 6x - 5 = 0.

Solution:

First we make the constant terms positive in the given two equations.

Making positive terms positive, the two equations becomes

4x - 3y + 10 = 0 and 6x - 8y + 5 = 0

Now, a1a2 + b1b2 = 4 × 6 + (-3) × (-8) = 24 + 24 = 48, which is positive. Hence, “+” symbol gives the obtuse angle bisector. The obtuse angle bisector is

4x3y+1042+(3)2 = + 6x8y+562+(8)2

4x3y+105 = +6x8y+510

⇒ 40x - 30y + 100 = 30x - 40y - 50

⇒ 10x + 10y + 150 = 0

x + y + 15 = 0, which is the required obtuse angle bisector.

 The Straight Line




11 and 12 Grade Math

From Equations of the Bisectors of the Angles between Two Straight Lines to HOME PAGE




Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.



New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.




Share this page: What’s this?

Recent Articles

  1. Worksheet on Average | Word Problem on Average | Questions on Average

    May 19, 25 02:53 PM

    Worksheet on Average
    In worksheet on average we will solve different types of questions on the concept of average, calculating the average of the given quantities and application of average in different problems.

    Read More

  2. 8 Times Table | Multiplication Table of 8 | Read Eight Times Table

    May 18, 25 04:33 PM

    Printable eight times table
    In 8 times table we will memorize the multiplication table. Printable multiplication table is also available for the homeschoolers. 8 × 0 = 0 8 × 1 = 8 8 × 2 = 16 8 × 3 = 24 8 × 4 = 32 8 × 5 = 40

    Read More

  3. How to Find the Average in Math? | What Does Average Mean? |Definition

    May 17, 25 04:04 PM

    Average 2
    Average means a number which is between the largest and the smallest number. Average can be calculated only for similar quantities and not for dissimilar quantities.

    Read More

  4. Problems Based on Average | Word Problems |Calculating Arithmetic Mean

    May 17, 25 03:47 PM

    Here we will learn to solve the three important types of word problems based on average. The questions are mainly based on average or mean, weighted average and average speed.

    Read More

  5. Rounding Decimals | How to Round a Decimal? | Rounding off Decimal

    May 16, 25 11:13 AM

    Round off to Nearest One
    Rounding decimals are frequently used in our daily life mainly for calculating the cost of the items. In mathematics rounding off decimal is a technique used to estimate or to find the approximate

    Read More