The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0025)


Problem

If the two sides $AB$ and $AC$ of $∠BAC$ are, respectively, parallel to the two sides $DE$ and $DF$ of $∠EDF$, then the bisector $AM$ of the former angle and the bisector $DN$ of the latter are parallel or perpendicular to each other.


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Solution

(1) Assume that $AB$ and $DE$, and $AC$ and $DF$ are, respectively, parallel in the same direction.

The extension lines of $FD$ and $BA$ always intersect, and let their intersection point be $H$, and the bisector of $∠AHD$ be $HP$.

At this time, since $FH$ and $CA$ are parallel,

$$∠BAC=∠AHD,$$

$$∴ \ ∠BAM=∠AHP,$$

$$∴ \ AM∥HP.$$

Similarly, since $BH$ and $ED$ are parallel,

$$∠EDF=∠AHD,$$

$$∴ \ ∠FDN=∠DHP,$$

$$∴ \ DN∥HP,$$

$$∴ \ AM∥DN.$$

(2) Suppose that only one pair of $AB$ and $DE$ or $AC$ and $DF$ is parallel in opposite directions.

Since $∠E’DF$ is a complementary angle of $∠EDF$, the two sides $BA$ and $AC$ of $∠BAC$ and the two sides $E’D$ and $DF$ of $∠E’DF$ are, respectively, parallel in the same direction.

Thus, the bisector $DN’$ of $∠E’DF$ is parallel to $AM$.

However, the bisector $DN$ of $∠EDF$ and $DN’$ are perpendicular.

Therefore, $DN$ is perpendicular to $AM$, which is parallel to $DN’$.

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Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, pp.8-9