Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: 3.02: Chord Lies Inside its Circle)
- For (if) not then, if possible, let it fall outside (the circle), like $AEB$ (in the figure).
- And let the center of the circle $ABC$ have been found [Prop. 3.1], and let it be (at point) $D$.
- And let $DA$ and $DB$ have been joined, and let $DFE$ have been drawn through.
- Therefore, since $DA$ is equal to $DB$, the angle $DAE$ (is) thus also equal to $DBE$ [Prop. 1.5].
- And since in triangle $DAE$ the one side, $AEB$, has been produced, angle $DEB$ (is) thus greater than $DAE$ [Prop. 1.16].
- And $DAE$ (is) equal to $DBE$ [Prop. 1.5].
- Thus, $DEB$ (is) greater than $DBE$.
- And the greater angle is subtended by the greater side [Prop. 1.19].
- Thus, $DB$ (is) greater than $DE$.
- And $DB$ (is) equal to $DF$.
- Thus, $DF$ (is) greater than $DE$, the lesser than the greater.
- The very thing is impossible.
- Thus, the straight line joining $A$ to $B$ will not fall outside the circle.
- So, similarly, we can show that neither (will it fall) on the circumference itself.
- Thus, (it will fall) inside (the circle).
- Thus, if two points are taken at random on the circumference of a circle then the straight line joining the points will fall inside the circle.
- (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"