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
Dem.—1. If the point of intersection be the centre, each rectangle is equal to the
square of the radius. Hence they are equal.
2. Let one of the chords AB pass through the centre O, and cut the other chord
CD, which does not pass through the centre, at right angles. Join OC. Now because
AB passes through the centre, and cuts the other chord CD, which does not pass
through the centre at right angles, it bisects it [iii.]. Again, because AB is divided
equally in O and unequally in E, the rectangle AE.EB, together with OE2, is equal
to OB2—that is, to OC2 [II. v.]; but OC2 is equal to OE2 + EC2 [I. xlvii.]
Therefore
Reject OE2, which is common, and we have AE.EB = EC2; but CE2 is equal to
the rectangle CE.ED, since CE is equal to ED. Therefore the rectangle AE.EB is
equal to the rectangle CE.ED.
3. Let AB pass through the centre, and cut CD, which does not pass through the
centre obliquely. Let O be the centre. Draw OF perpendicular to CD [I. xi.].
Join OC, OD. Then, since CD is cut at right angles by OF, which passes
through the centre, it is bisected in F [iii.], and divided unequally in E.
Hence
CE.ED + FE2 = FD2 [II. v.],
and OF2 = OF2.
Hence, adding, since FE2 + OF2 = OE2 [I. xlvii.], and FD2 + OF2 = OD2, we
get
Again, since AB is bisected in O and divided unequally in E,
AE.EB + OE2 = OB2 [II. v.].
Therefore CE.ED + OE2 = AE.EB + OE2.
Hence CE.ED = AE.EB.
4. Let neither chord pass through the centre. Through the point E, where they
intersect, draw the diameter FG. Then by 3, the rectangle FE.EG is equal to the
rectangle AE.EB, and also to the rectangle CE.ED. Hence the rectangle AE.EB is
equal to the rectangle CE.ED.
Cor. 1.—If a chord of a circle be divided in any point within the circle, the
rectangle contained by its segments is equal to the difference between the square of
the radius and the square of the line drawn from the centre to the point of
section.
Cor. 2.—If the rectangle contained by the segments of one of two intersecting
lines be equal to the rectangle contained by the segments of the other, the four
extremities are concyclic.
Cor. 3.—If two triangles be equiangular, the rectangle contained by the
non-corresponding sides about any two equal angles are equal.
Let ABO, DCO be the equiangular triangles, and let them be placed so that the
equal angles at O may be vertically opposite, and that the non-corresponding sides
AO, CO may be in one line; then the non-corresponding sides BO, OD shall be in
one line. Now, since the angle ABD is equal to ACD, the points A, B, C, D are
concyclic [xxi., Cor. 1]. Hence the rectangle AO.OC is equal to the rectangle BO.OD
[xxxv.].
Exercises.
1. In any triangle, the rectangle contained by two sides is equal to the rectangle
contained by the perpendicular on the third side and the diameter of the circumscribed
circle.
Def.—The supplement of an arc is the difference between it and a semicircle.
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