Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: 4.09: Circumscribing Circle about Square)
- $AC$ and $BD$ being joined, let them cut one another at $E$.
- And since $DA$ is equal to $AB$, and $AC$ (is) common, the two (straight lines) $DA$, $AC$ are thus equal to the two (straight lines) $BA$, $AC$.
- And the base $DC$ (is) equal to the base $BC$.
- Thus, angle $DAC$ is equal to angle $BAC$ [Prop. 1.8].
- Thus, the angle $DAB$ has been cut in half by $AC$.
- So, similarly, we can show that $ABC$, $BCD$, and $CDA$ have each been cut in half by the straight lines $AC$ and $DB$.
- And since angle $DAB$ is equal to $ABC$, and $EAB$ is half of $DAB$, and $EBA$ half of $ABC$, $EAB$ is thus also equal to $EBA$.
- So that side $EA$ is also equal to $EB$ [Prop. 1.6].
- So, similarly, we can show that each of the [straight lines] $EA$ and $EB$ are also equal to each of $EC$ and $ED$.
- Thus, the four (straight lines) $EA$, $EB$, $EC$, and $ED$ are equal to one another.
- Thus, the circle drawn with center $E$, and radius one of $A$, $B$, $C$, or $D$, will also go through the remaining points, and will have been circumscribed about the square $ABCD$.
- Let it have been (so) circumscribed, like $ABCD$ (in the figure).
- Thus, a circle has been circumscribed about the given square.
- (Which is) the very thing it was required to do.
∎
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References
Adapted from (subject to copyright, with kind permission)
- Fitzpatrick, Richard: Euclid's "Elements of Geometry"