The Angle Bisector Theorem
If a point interior to an angle is equidistant from its sides, then that point is on the bisector of that angle, and conversely.
Again we have a statement and its converse to prove:
Statement:
If ,
, and
then
bisects
.
Proof:
From the hypothesis, and
are right triangles with congruent legs
. They also share a common hypotenuse:
. Therefore
by HL. Thus
since they are corresponding parts of the congruent triangles. So
bisects
since this is the definition of "bisects."
Converse:
If bisects
,
, and
then
.
Proof:
Since bisects
,
(by definition of "bisects"). In addition,
and
are right triangles with common side
. So
by AAS. Therefore
since these are corresponding parts of the congruent triangles.