# How to find whether equation of angle bisector represents the obtuse or acute angle bisector of two given straight lines?

Two lines: $a_1x + b_1y + c_1 = 0$ and $a_2x + b_2y + c_2 = 0$ are given. I know that the equation of its bisectors is ${a_1x + b_1y + c_1 \over \sqrt{(a_1^2 + b_1^2)}} = \pm {a_2x + b_2y + c_2 \over\sqrt{ (a_2^2 + b_2^2)}}$ But I intend to find which one is the obtuse angle bisector and which one is the acute angle bisector. I want to find a general formula Assuming $c_1 , c_2$ both are of same sign, I know if $a_1a_2 + b_1b_2 > 0$ and if we take the positive sign we get the obtuse angle bisector and vice versa. But I want to prove it using general equation of line, I tried to find the angle between bisector and original line i.e. $tan θ = {m_1 - m_2 \over 1+ m_1m_2}$ and then if it is greater than one it will be of obtuse angle but calculations are tough if we use general equation of line. May anyone give a simple proof of the following statement: "Assuming $c_1 , c_2$ both are of same sign IF $a_1a_2 + b_1b_2 > 0$then if we take positive sign we get the obtuse angle bisector".

• The values of $c_1$, $c_2$ play no rôle in this problem. It is sufficient to discuss the case $c_1=c_2=0$. If the rule you have found is o.k. in this case it is o.k. always. – Christian Blatter Apr 12 '16 at 11:54

We have two lines : $$L_1 : a_1x+b_1y+c_1=0,\quad L_2 : a_2x+b_2y+c_2=0$$

and the angle bisectors : $$L_{\pm} : \frac{a_1x+b_1y+c_1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}=\pm\frac{a_2x+b_2y+c_2}{\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}$$

If we let $\theta$ be the (smaller) angle between $L_+$ and $L_1$, then we have $$\cos\theta=\frac{\left|a_1\left(\frac{a_1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}-\frac{a_2}{\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}\right)+b_1\left(\frac{b_1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}-\frac{b_2}{\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}\right)\right|}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}\sqrt{\left(\frac{a_1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}-\frac{a_2}{\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}\right)^2+\left(\frac{b_1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}-\frac{b_2}{\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}\right)^2}}$$

$$=\frac{\left|\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}-\frac{a_1a_2+b_1b_2}{\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}\right|}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}\sqrt{2-2\frac{a_1a_2+b_1b_2}{\sqrt{(a_1^2+b_1^2)(a_2^2+b_2^2)}}}}\times\frac{2\frac{1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}}{2\frac{1}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}}}=\sqrt{\frac{1-\frac{a_1a_2+b_1b_2}{\sqrt{(a_1^2+b_1^2)(a_2^2+b_2^2)}}}{2}}$$

Hence, we can see that \begin{align}a_1a_2+b_1b_2\gt 0&\iff\cos\theta\lt 1/\sqrt 2\\&\iff \theta\gt 45^\circ\\&\iff \text{L_+ is the obtuse angle bisector}\end{align} as desired.

(Note that "$c_1,c_2$ both are of same sign" is irrelevant.)

• Great answer Sir !!! I wonder why OP hasn't up voted it the best answer. – Mathematics Aug 28 '16 at 11:35
• How did you find the cosine of angle between the two lines? – Archer Sep 29 '17 at 3:02
• @Abcd: If $\theta$ is the (smaller) angle between $a_1x+b_1y+c_1=0$ and $a_2x+b_2y+c_2=0$, then we have $$\cos\theta=\frac{|a_1a_2+b_1b_2|}{\sqrt{a_1^2+b_1^2}\sqrt{a_2^2+b_2^2}}$$ – mathlove Sep 29 '17 at 6:30