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1.5
What you should learn
GOAL 1 GOAL 2

Segment and Angle Bisectors

GOAL 1 BISECTING A SEGMENT
The midpoint of a segment is the point that divides, or bisects, the segment into two congruent segments. In this book, matching red congruence marks identify congruent segments in diagrams. A segment bisector is a segment, ray, line, or plane that intersects a segment at its midpoint.
C M A M M is the midpoint of AB if M is on AB and AM = MB.

Bisect a segment.

Bisect an angle, as applied in Exs. 5055.

Why you should learn it

To solve real-life problems, such as finding the angle measures of a kite in Example 4. AL LI
E FE
RE

D CD is a bisector of AB .

You can use a compass and a straightedge (a ruler without marks) to construct a segment bisector and midpoint of AB. A construction is a geometric drawing that uses a limited set of tools, usually a compass and a straightedge.
A C T IACTIVITY VITY

Construction

Segment Bisector and Midpoint

Use the following steps to construct a bisector of AB and find the midpoint M of AB.

1 Place the compass

2 Keep the same

3 Use a straightedge

point at A. Use a compass setting greater than half the length of AB. Draw an arc.

compass setting. Place the compass point at B. Draw an arc. It should intersect the other arc in two places.

to draw a segment through the points of intersection. This segment bisects AB at M, the midpoint of AB.

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If you know the coordinates of the endpoints of a segment, you can calculate the coordinates of the midpoint. You simply take the mean, or average, of the x-coordinates and of the y-coordinates. This method is summarized as the Midpoint Formula.

THE MIDPOINT FORMULA

If A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2) are points in a coordinate plane, then the midpoint of AB has coordinates
y1

y2

B (x2, y2)

y2 2

x1 2

x2 y 1

x1 + x2 y1 + y2 , . THE MIDPOINT 2 ORMULA F 2

y2 2

y1

A (x1, y1)

x1

x1 2

x2

x2

EXAMPLE 1

Finding the Coordinates of the Midpoint of a Segment

Find the coordinates of the midpoint of AB with endpoints A(2, 3) and B(5, 2).
SOLUTION

A( 2, 3)
3 1 2

1 1

Use the Midpoint Formula as follows.

2 + 5 3 + (2) , M= 2 2

M 2,

B(5,

2)

3 1 , 2 2

xy
Using Algebra

EXAMPLE 2

Finding the Coordinates of an Endpoint of a Segment

The midpoint of RP is M(2, 4). One endpoint is R(1, 7). Find the coordinates of the other endpoint.
SOLUTION

STUDENT HELP

Study Tip Sketching the points in a coordinate plane helps you check your work. You should sketch a drawing of a problem even if the directions dont ask for a sketch.

Let (x, y) be the coordinates of P. Use the Midpoint Formula to write equations involving x and y.
1 + x =2 2 7+y =4 2

R( 1, 7) M (2, 4)
1 2 x

7 2

P (x, y)
x

1 + x = 4 x=5

7+y=8 y=1

So, the other endpoint of the segment is P(5, 1).

1.5 Segment and Angle Bisectors 35

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GOAL 2 BISECTING AN ANGLE

An angle bisector is a ray that divides an angle into two adjacent angles that are congruent. In the diagram at the right, the ray CD bisects ABC because it divides the angle into two congruent angles, ACD and BCD. In this book, matching congruence arcs identify congruent angles in diagrams.
ACTIVITY
A D

B mACD = mBCD

Construction

Angle Bisector

Use the following steps to construct an angle bisector of C.

B B D C A C A C A B D

1 Place the compass

2 Place the compass

3 Label the intersec-

point at C. Draw an arc that intersects both sides of the angle. Label the intersections A and B.

point at A. Draw an arc. Then place the compass point at B. Using the same compass setting, draw another arc.

tion D. Use a straightedge to draw a ray through C and D. This is the angle bisector.

ACTIVITY

After you have constructed an angle bisector, you should check that it divides the original angle into two congruent angles. One way to do this is to use a protractor to check that the angles have the same measure. Another way is to fold the piece of paper along the angle bisector. When you hold the paper up to a light, you should be able to see that the sides of the two angles line up, which implies that the angles are congruent.

Fold on CD .

The sides of angles BCD and ACD line up.

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EXAMPLE 3

Dividing an Angle Measure in Half

E H 120 F G

The ray FH bisects the angle EFG. Given that mEFG = 120, what are the measures of EFH and HFG?
SOLUTION

An angle bisector divides an angle into two congruent angles, each of which has half the measure of the original angle. So, mEFH = mHFG =
120 = 60. 2

EXAMPLE 4
FOCUS ON PEOPLE

Doubling an Angle Measure

K 45 I

KITE DESIGN In the kite, two angles are bisected.

EKI is bisected by KT . ITE is bisected by TK . Find the measures of the two angles.
SOLUTION
E

a San Diego kite designer, uses colorful patterns in his kites. The struts of his kites often bisect the angles they support.

RE

L AL I

JOS SANZ,

You are given the measure of one of the two congruent angles that make up the larger angle. You can find the measure of the larger angle by doubling the measure of the smaller angle. mEKI = 2mTKI = 2(45) = 90 mITE = 2mKTI = 2(27) = 54

27 T

FE

EXAMPLE 5

Finding the Measure of an Angle

xy
Using Algebra

In the diagram, RQ bisects PRS. The measures of the two congruent angles are (x + 40) and (3x 20). Solve for x.
SOLUTION

(x

40)

q (3x 20) S

R Congruent angles have equal measures. Substitute given measures. Add 20 to each side. Subtract x from each side. Divide each side by 2.

mPRQ = mQRS (x + 40) = (3x 20) x + 60 = 3x 60 = 2x 30 = x

So, x = 30. You can check by substituting to see that each of the congruent angles has a measure of 70.
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GUIDED PRACTICE
Vocabulary Check

 Concept Check  

1. What kind of geometric figure is an angle bisector? 2. How do you indicate congruent segments in a diagram? How do you indicate

congruent angles in a diagram?

3. What is the simplified form of the Midpoint Formula if one of the endpoints

of a segment is (0, 0) and the other is (x, y)? Skill Check

Find the coordinates of the midpoint of a segment with the given endpoints. 4. A(5, 4), B(3, 2) 5. A(1, 9), B(11, 5) 6. A(6, 4), B(1, 8)

Find the coordinates of the other endpoint of a segment with the given endpoint and midpoint M. 7. C(3, 0) 8. D(5, 2) 9. E(4, 2)

M(3, 4) of JKM and LKM?

M(7, 6)

M(3, 2)

10. Suppose mJKL is 90. If the ray KM bisects JKL, what are the measures QS is the angle bisector of PQR. Find the two angle measures not given in the diagram. 11.
P 40 64 q R q R q 52 R S

12.

13.
P S

PRACTICE AND APPLICATIONS

STUDENT HELP

Extra Practice to help you master skills is on p. 804.

CONSTRUCTION Use a ruler to measure and redraw the line segment on a piece of paper. Then use construction tools to construct a segment bisector. 14.
A B

15. C

16.

D
STUDENT HELP

HOMEWORK HELP

FINDING THE MIDPOINT Find the coordinates of the midpoint of a segment with the given endpoints. 17. A(0, 0) 18. J(1, 7) 19. C(10, 8) 20. P(12, 9)

Example 1: Example 2: Example 3: Example 4: Example 5:

Exs. 1724 Exs. 2530 Exs. 3742 Exs. 3742 Exs. 4449

B(8, 6)
21. S(0, 8)

K(3, 3)
22. E(4, 4)

D(2, 5)
23. V(1.5, 8)

Q(2, 10)
24. G(5.5, 6.1)

T(6, 14)

F(4, 18)

W(0.25, 1)

H(0.5, 9.1)

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xy USING ALGEBRA Find the coordinates of the other endpoint of a

segment with the given endpoint and midpoint M. 25. R(2, 6) 26. T(8, 1) 27. W(3, 12)

M(1, 1)
28. Q(5, 9)

M(0, 3)
29. A(6, 7)

M(2, 1)
30. D(3.5, 6)

M(8, 2)

M(10, 7)

M(1.5, 4.5)

RECOGNIZING CONGRUENCE Use the marks on the diagram to name the congruent segments and congruent angles. 31. A
C B F G

32.
E

33.
Z

CONSTRUCTION Use a protractor to measure and redraw the angle on a piece of paper. Then use construction tools to find the angle bisector. 34. 35. 36.

ANALYZING ANGLE BISECTORS QS is the angle bisector of PQR. Find the two angle measures not given in the diagram. 37.
P

38.
S P 91 R q

39.
S P R 80 q R

22 q

40.
S P

41.
45 P 75 R q

42.
P R S S 124 q R

STUDENT HELP
INT
NE ER T

43.

SOFTWARE HELP

Visit our Web site www.mcdougallittell.com to see instructions for several software applications.

TECHNOLOGY Use geometry software to draw a triangle. Construct the angle bisector of one angle. Then find the midpoint of the opposite side of the triangle. Change your triangle and observe what happens.

B D A C

Does the angle bisector always pass through the midpoint of the opposite side? Does it ever pass through the midpoint?

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STUDENT HELP
INT
NE ER T

xy USING ALGEBRA BD bisects ABC. Find the value of x.

HOMEWORK HELP

Visit our Web site www.mcdougallittell.com for help with Ex. 4449.

44.
A (x 15)

45.
D (2x 35) A B (5x 22) C

46.

A (10x D (6x 51)

(4x B

45) C

C 11)

47.
(2x 7) A

B (4x D C 9)

48.
D (15x A B 18) (23x 14) C

49.
A

1 x 2

20

D (3x 85) B C

STRIKE ZONE In Exercises 50 and 51, use the information below. For each player, find the coordinate of T, a point on the top of the strike zone.

In baseball, the strike zone is the region a baseball needs to pass through in order for an umpire to declare it a strike if it is not hit. The top of the strike zone is a horizontal plane passing through the midpoint between the top of the hitters shoulders and the top of the uniform pants when the player is in a batting stance.
Source: Major League Baseball

50.

51.
63 T 45

60 T 42

22

24

AIR HOCKEY When an air hockey puck is hit into the sideboards, it bounces off so that 1 and 2 are congruent. Find m1, m2, m3, and m4. 52.
3 4

53.
130 1 2 3 4

54.
60 1 2 4 3

106 1 2

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55.

PAPER AIRPLANES The diagram

A B C D L K J

represents an unfolded piece of paper used to make a paper airplane. The segments represent where the paper was folded to make the airplane. Using the diagram, name as many pairs of congruent segments and as many congruent angles as you can.

E F G H

56.

Writing Explain, in your own words, how you would divide a line segment into four congruent segments using a compass and straightedge. Then explain how you could do it using the Midpoint Formula.
for A(x1, y1) and B(x2, y2 ), is M x1 + (x2 x1 ), y1 + ( y2 y1) . Redo Exercises 1724 using this version of the Midpoint Formula. Do you get the same answers as before? Use algebra to explain why the formula above is equivalent to the one in the lesson.
1 2 1 2

57. MIDPOINT FORMULA REVISITED Another version of the Midpoint Formula,

Test Preparation

58. MULTI-STEP PROBLEM Sketch a triangle with three sides of different lengths. a. Using construction tools, find the midpoints of all three sides and the angle

bisectors of all three angles of your triangle.

b. Determine whether or not the angle bisectors pass through the midpoints. c.

5 Challenge

Writing Write a brief paragraph explaining your results. Determine if your results would be different if you used a different kind of triangle.

INFINITE SERIES A football team practices running back and forth on the field in a special way. First they run from one end of the 100 yd field to the other. Then they turn around and run half the previous distance. Then they turn around again and run half the previous distance, and so on. 59. Suppose the athletes continue the

running drill with smaller and smaller distances. What is the coordinate of the point that they approach?
60. What is the total distance that the

100

50

100

athletes cover?
EXTRA CHALLENGE

75

100

www.mcdougallittell.com

62.5

100

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MIXED REVIEW
SKETCHING VISUAL PATTERNS Sketch the next figure in the pattern.
(Review 1.1)

61.

62.

DISTANCE FORMULA Find the distance between the two points. (Review 1.3) 63. A(3, 12), B(5, 1) 66. G(3, 8), H(0, 2)
(Review 1.4 for 1.6)

64. C(6, 9), D(2, 7) 67. J(4, 5), K(5, 1)

65. E(8, 8), F(2, 14) 68. L(10, 1), M(4, 9)

MEASURING ANGLES Use a protractor to find the measure of the angle. 69. 70.

71.

72.

QUIZ 2
1. State the Angle Addition Postulate

Self-Test for Lessons 1.4 and 1.5

P S R q

for the three angles shown at the right.

(Lesson 1.4)

In a coordinate plane, plot the points and sketch DEF. Classify the angle. Write the coordinates of a point that lies in the interior of the angle and the coordinates of a point that lies in the exterior of the angle.
(Lesson 1.4)

2. D(2, 3)

3. D(6, 3)

4. D(1, 8)

5. D(1, 10)

E(4, 3) F(2, 6)

E(0, 5) F(8, 5)

E(4, 0) F(4, 0)
J 21 M L

E(1, 1) F(8, 1)
K

6. In the diagram, KM is the angle bisector

of JKL. Find mMKL and mJKL.

(Lesson 1.5)

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