Angle bisector theorem

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In this diagram, BD:DC = AB:AC.

In geometry, the angle bisector theorem relates the length of the side opposite one angle of
a triangle to the lengths of the other two sides of the triangle.

Consider a triangle ABC. Let the angle bisector of angle A intersect side BC at a point D. The
angle bisector theorem states that the ratio of the length of the line segment BD to the length of
segment DC is equal to the ratio of the length of side AB to the length of side AC

The generalized angle bisector theorem states that if D lies on BC, then

This reduces to the previous version if AD is the bisector of BAC.

Proof

Let B1 be the base of altitude in the triangle ABD through B and let C1 be the base of altitude
in the triangle ACDthrough C. Then,

DB1B and DC1C are right, while the angles B1DB and C1DC are congruent if D lies on the
segment BC and they are identical otherwise, so the triangles DB1B and DC1C are similar
(AAA), which implies that

The angle bisector theorem is commonly used when you have angle bisectors and side
lengths.