3-D Geometry problem

Saitama

Homework Statement

The planes ax+by+cz=1 meets the axes OX, OY, OZ in A,B,C. A plane through the x-axis bisects the angle A of the triangle ABC. Similarly, planes through the other two axes bisect the angles B and C. Find the equation of the line of intersection of these planes.

The Attempt at a Solution

Its been quite some time I have done any problems on 3-D geometry. I can find the points where the given plane intersect the axes but how do I find the bisector planes? I need a few hints to begin with.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Homework Helper
You don't need to find the planes, all you need is the line of intersection. All you need is two points on that line. The origin is one point on that line, can you find another point?

I myself don't know what the formula will be, it's a strange question.

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Saitama
You don't need to find the planes, all you need is the line of intersection. All you need is two points on that line. The origin is one point on that line, can you find another point?

I myself don't know what the formula will be, it's a strange question.

The following are the coordinates of A,B and C:
##A(1/a,0,0)##, ##B(0,1/b,0)## and ##C(0,0,1/c)##

Since the planes bisect the angles, I guess the other point would be the incentre of triangle ABC. Correct? How did you find that origin is a point satisfying the line.

$$\frac{x}{\sqrt{b^2+c^2}}=\frac{y}{\sqrt{a^2+c^2}}=\frac{z}{\sqrt{b^2+a^2}}$$
Is this what you get?

Homework Helper
I didn't get an answer, I knew the problem would reduce to finding the incenter, which I didn't try to find. I want you to figure out why the origin is on that intersection, keep thinking about that, draw a picture if necessary.

I don't know how I would find the incenter. I would try to solve it in two dimensions first. There may be no easy way to answer it.

1 person
Saitama
I didn't get an answer, I knew the problem would reduce to finding the incenter, which I didn't try to find. I want you to figure out why the origin is on that intersection, keep thinking about that, draw a picture if necessary.
I think origin is obvious because the bisector planes pass through the axes. :tongue2:
I don't know how I would find the incenter. I would try to solve it in two dimensions first. There may be no easy way to answer it.

There is a formula I have used before for finding the incentre in two dimensions. I tried to extend it to three dimensions and it seems to work. The formula can be found here:
http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Incenter.html

Thank you verty! :)