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
4. The rectangle contained by any two lines is equal to the square on half the sum, minus the
square on half the difference.
5. Given the sum or the difference of two lines and the difference of their squares; find the
lines.
6. If from the vertex C of an isosceles triangle a line CD be drawn to any point in the base
produced, prove that CD2 − CB2 = AD.DB.
7. Give a common enunciation which will include Propositions v. and vi.
PROP. VII.—Theorem.
If a right line (AB) be divided into any two parts (at C), the sum of the squares on
the whole line (AB) and either segment (CB) is equal to twice the rectangle
(2AB.CB) contained by the whole line and that segment, together with the square on
the other segment.
Dem.—On AB describe the square ABDE. Join BE. Through C draw
CG parallel to AE, intersecting BE in F. Through F draw HK parallel to
AB.
Now the square AD is equal to the three figures AK, FD, and GH: to each
add the square CK, and we have the sum of the squares AD, CK equal
to the sum of the three figures AK, CD, GH; but CD is equal to AK;
therefore the sum of the squares AD, CK is equal to twice the figure AK,
together with the figure GH. Now AK is the rectangle AB.BK; but BK is
equal to BC; therefore AK is equal to the rectangle AB.BC, and AD is the
square on AB; CK the square on CB; and GH is the square on HF, and
therefore equal to the square on AC. Hence the sum of the squares on AB
and BC is equal to twice the rectangle AB.BC, together with the square on
AC.
Or thus: On AC describe the square ACDE. Produce the sides CD, DE, EA, and make each
produced part equal to CB. Join BF, FG, GH, HB. Then the figure BFGH is a square [I. xlvi.,
Ex. 3], and it is equal to the square on AC, together with the four equal triangles HAB, BCF,
FDG, GEH. Now [I. xlvii.], the figure BFGH is equal to the sum of the squares on AB, AH—that
is, equal to the sum of the squares on AB, BC; and the sum of the four triangles is equal to twice
the rectangle AB.BC, for each triangle is equal to half the rectangle AB.BC. Hence the sum of the
squares on AB, BC is equal to twice the rectangle AB.BC, together with the square on
AC.
Or thus: AC = AB − BC;
therefore AC2 = AB2 − 2AB.BC + BC2;
therefore AC2 + 2AB.BC = AB2 + BC2.
Comparison of iv. and vii.
By iv., square on sum = sum of squares + twice rectangle.
By vii., square on difference = sum of squares-twice rectangle.
Cors. from iv. and vii.
1. Square on the sum, the sum of the squares, and the square on the difference of
any two lines, are in arithmetical progression.
2. Square on the sum + square on the difference of any two lines = twice the sum
of the squares on the lines (Props. ix. and x.).
3. The square on the sum − the square on the difference of any two lines = four
times the rectangle under lines (Prop. viii.).
PROP. VIII.–Theorem.
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