Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: 1.29: Parallel Lines III)
- For if $AGH$ is unequal to $GHD$ then one of them is greater.
- Let $AGH$ be greater.
- Let $BGH$ have been added to both.
- Thus, (the sum of) $AGH$ and $BGH$ is greater than (the sum of) $BGH$ and $GHD$.
- But, (the sum of) $AGH$ and $BGH$ is equal to two right angles [Prop. 1.13].
- Thus, (the sum of) $BGH$ and $GHD$ is [also] less than two right angles.
- But (straight lines) being produced to infinity from (internal angles whose sum is) less than two right angles meet together [Post. 5] .
- Thus, $AB$ and $CD$, being produced to infinity, will meet together.
- But they do not meet, on account of them (initially) being assumed parallel (to one another) [Def. 1.23] .
- Thus, $AGH$ is not unequal to $GHD$.
- Thus, (it is) equal.
- But, $AGH$ is equal to $EGB$ [Prop. 1.15].
- And $EGB$ is thus also equal to $GHD$.
- Let $BGH$ be added to both.
- Thus, (the sum of) $EGB$ and $BGH$ is equal to (the sum of) $BGH$ and $GHD$.
- But, (the sum of) $EGB$ and $BGH$ is equal to two right angles [Prop. 1.13].
- Thus, (the sum of) $BGH$ and $GHD$ is also equal to two right angles.
- Thus, a straight line falling across parallel straight lines makes the alternate angles equal to one another, the external (angle) equal to the internal and opposite (angle), and the (sum of the) internal (angles) on the same side equal to two right angles.
- (Which is) the very thing it was required to show.
∎
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References
Adapted from (subject to copyright, with kind permission)
- Fitzpatrick, Richard: Euclid's "Elements of Geometry"