The First Six Books of the Elements of EuclidEuclid
Science
The First Six Books of the Elements of Euclid
Euclid
Euclid's Elements; Mathematics, Greek
Sol.—In the sides ED, EF of the given angle take any arbitrary points D and F.
Join DF, and construct [xxii.] the triangle BAC, whose sides, taken in order, shall
be equal to those of DEF—namely, AB equal to ED, AC equal to EF, and CB
equal to FD; then the angle BAC will [viii.] be equal to DEF. Hence it is the
required angle.
Exercises.
1. Construct a triangle, being given two sides and the angle between them.
2. Construct a triangle, being given two angles and the side between them.
3. Construct a triangle, being given two sides and the angle opposite to one of them.
4. Construct a triangle, being given the base, one of the angles at the base, and the sum or
difference of the sides.
5. Given two points, one of which is in a given line, it is required to find another point in the
given line, such that the sum or difference of its distances from the former points may be given.
Show that two such points may be found in each case.
PROP. XXIV.—Theorem.
If two triangles (ABC, DEF) have two sides (AB, AC) of one respectively equal
to two sides (DE, DF) of the other, but the contained angle (BAC) of one greater
than the contained angle (EDF) of the other, the base of that which has the greater
angle is greater than the base of the other.
Dem.—Of the two sides AB, AC, let AB be the one which is not the greater,
and with it make the angle BAG equal to EDF [xxiii.]. Then because AB is not
greater than AC, AG is less than AC [xix., Exer. 6]. Produce AG to H, and make
AH equal to DF or AC [iii.]. Join BH, CH.
In the triangles BAH, EDF, we have AB equal to DE (hyp.), AH equal to DF
(const.), and the angle BAH equal to the angle EDF (const.); therefore the
base [iv.] BH is equal to EF. Again, because AH is equal to AC (const.),
the triangle ACH is isosceles; therefore the angle ACH is equal to AHC
[v.]; but ACH is greater than BCH; therefore AHC is greater than BCH:
much more is the angle BHC greater than BCH, and the greater angle is
subtended by the greater side [xix.]. Therefore BC is greater than BH;
but BH has been proved to be equal to EF; therefore BC is greater than
EF.
The concluding part of this Proposition may be proved without joining CH, thus:—
BG + GH > BH [xx.],
AG + GC > AC [xx.];
therefore
BC + AH > BH + AC;
but
AH = AC (const.);
therefore
BC is > BH.
Or thus: Bisect the angle CAH by AO. Join OH. Now in the △s CAO, HAO we have the sides
CA, AO in one equal to the sides AH, AO in the other, and the contained angles equal; therefore
the base OC is equal to the base OH [iv.]: to each add BO, and we have BC equal to the sum of
BO, OH; but the sum of BO, OH is greater than BH [xx.]. Therefore BC is greater than BH, that
is, greater than EF.
Exercises.
1. Prove this Proposition by making the angle ABH to the left of AB.
2. Prove that the angle BCA is greater than EFD.
PROP. XXV.—Theorem.
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