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.—Since ABC is an isosceles triangle, and the angle B is right, each of the
other angles is half a right angle; therefore BAO is half a right angle. In
like manner ABO is half a right angle; hence the angle BAO equal ABO;
therefore [I. vi.] AO is equal to OB. In like manner OB is equal to OC,
and OC to OD. Hence the circle described, with O as centre and OA as
radius, will pass through the points B, C, D, and be described about the
square.
PROP. X.—Problem.
To construct an isosceles triangle having each base angle double the vertical
angle.
Sol.—Take any line AB. Divide it in C, so that the rectangle AB.BC shall be
equal to AC2 [II. xi.]. With A as centre, and AB as radius, describe the circle
BDE, and in it place the chord BD equal to AC [i.]. Join AD. ADB is a triangle
fulfilling the required conditions.
Dem.—Join CD. About the triangle ACD describe the circle CDE [v.]. Then,
because the rectangle AB.BC is equal to AC2 (const.), and that AC is equal to BD
(const.); therefore the rectangle AB.BC is equal to BD2. Hence [III. xxxvii.] BD
touches the circle ACD. Hence the angle BDC is equal to the angle A in the
alternate segment [III. xxxii.]. To each add CDA, and we have the angle BDA
equal to the sum of the angles CDA and A; but the exterior angle BCD of the
triangle ACD is equal to the sum of the angles CDA and A. Hence the angle BDA is
equal to BCD; but since AB is equal to AD, the angle BDA is equal to
ABD; therefore the angle CBD is equal to BCD. Hence [I. vi.] BD is
equal to CD; but BD is equal to AC (const.); therefore AC is equal to
CD, and therefore [I. v.] the angle CDA is equal to A; but BDA has been
proved to be equal to the sum of CDA and A. Hence BDA is double of A.
Hence each of the base angles of the triangle ABD is double of the vertical
angle.
Exercises.
1. Prove that ACD is an isosceles triangle whose vertical angle is equal to three times each of
the base angles.
2. Prove that BD is the side of a regular decagon inscribed in the circle BDE.
3. If DB, DE, EF be consecutive sides of a regular decagon inscribed in a circle, prove
BF − BD = radius of circle.
4. If E be the second point of intersection of the circle ACD with BDE, DE is equal to DB;
and if AE, BE, CE, DE be joined, each of the triangles ACE, ADE is congruent with
ABD.
5. AC is the side of a regular pentagon inscribed in the circle ACD, and EB the side of a
regular pentagon inscribed in the circle BDE.
6. Since ACE is an isosceles triangle, EB2 − EA2 = AB.BC—that is = BD2; therefore
EB2 − BD2 = EA2—that is, the square of the side of a pentagon inscribed in a circle exceeds
the square of the side of the decagon inscribed in the same circle by the square of the
radius.
PROP. XI.—Problem.
To inscribe a regular pentagon in a given circle (ABCDE).
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