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
If a right line (EF) intersecting two right lines (AB, CD) makes the exterior angle
(EGB) equal to its corresponding interior angle (GHD), or makes two interior
angles (BGH, GHD) on the same side equal to two right angles, the two right lines
are parallel.
Dem.—1. Since the lines AB, EF intersect, the angle AGH is equal to
EGB [xv.]; but EGB is equal to GHD (hyp.); therefore AGH is equal
to GHD, and they are alternate angles. Hence [xxvii.] AB is parallel to
CD.
2. Since AGH and BGH are adjacent angles, their sum is equal to two right
angles [xiii.]; but the sum of BGH and GHD is two right angles (hyp.); therefore
rejecting the angle BGH we have AGH equal GHD, and they are alternate angles;
therefore AB is parallel to CD [xxvii.].
PROP. XXIX.—Theorem.
If a right line (EF) intersect two parallel right lines (AB, CD), it makes—1. the
alternate angles (AGH,GHD) equal to one another; 2. the exterior angle (EGB)
equal to the corresponding interior angle (GHD); 3. the two interior angles
(BGH, GHD) on the same side equal to two right angles.
Dem.—If the angle AGH be not equal to GHD, one must be greater than the
other. Let AGH be the greater; to each add BGH, and we have the sum of the
angles AGH, BGH greater than the sum of the angles BGH, GHD; but the sum of
AGH, BGH is two right angles; therefore the sum of BGH, GHD is less than two
right angles, and therefore (Axiom xii.) the lines AB, CD, if produced, will meet at
some finite distance: but since they are parallel (hyp.) they cannot meet at any finite
distance. Hence the angle AGH is not unequal to GHD—that is, it is equal to
it.
2. Since the angle EGB is equal to AGH [xv.], and GHD is equal to AGH (1),
EGB is equal to GHD (Axiom i.).
3. Since AGH is equal to GHD (1), add HGB to each, and we have the sum of
the angles AGH, HGB equal to the sum of the angles GHD, HGB; but the sum of
the angles AGH, HGB [xiii.] is two right angles; therefore the sum of the angles
BGH, GHD is two right angles.
Exercises.
1. Demonstrate both parts of Prop. xxviii. without using Prop. xxvii.
2. The parts of all perpendiculars to two parallel lines intercepted between them are
equal.
3. If ACD, BCD be adjacent angles, any parallel to AB will meet the bisectors of these angles
in points equally distant from where it meets CD.
4. If through the middle point O of any right line terminated by two parallel right lines any
other secant be drawn, the intercept on this line made by the parallels is bisected in
O.
5. Two right lines passing through a point equidistant from two parallels intercept equal
portions on the parallels.
6. The perimeter of the parallelogram, formed by drawing parallels to two sides of an equilateral
triangle from any point in the third side, is equal to twice the side.
7. If the opposite sides of a hexagon be equal and parallel, its diagonals are concurrent.
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