Proposition I.19
In any triangle the greater angle is subtended by the greater side.
Let ABC
be a triangle having the angle ABC
greater than the angle BCA
;
I say that the side AC
is also greater than the side AB
.
For, if not, AC
is either equal to AB
or less.
Now AC
is not equal to AB
; for then the angle ABC
would also have been equal to the angle ACB
; I.5 but it is not;
- therefore
AC
is not equal toAB
.
Neither is AC
less than AB
, for then the angle ABC
would also have been less than the angle ACB
; I.18 but it is not;
- therefore
AC
is not less thanAB
.
And it was proved that it is not equal either.
- Therefore
AC
is greater thanAB
.
Therefore etc.
- Q. E. D.