Proposition I.31
Through a given point to draw a straight line parallel to a given straight line.
Let A
be the given point, and BC
the given straight line; thus it is required to draw through the point A
a straight line parallel to the straight line BC
.
Let a point D
be taken at random on BC
, and let AD
be joined; on the straight line DA
, and at the point A
on it, let the angle DAE
be constructed equal to the angle ADC
I.23; and let the straight line AF
be produced in a straight line with EA
.
Then, since the straight line AD
falling on the two straight lines BC
, EF
has made the alternate angles EAD
, ADC
equal to one another,
- therefore
EAF
is parallel toBC
. I.27
Therefore through the given point A
the straight line EAF
has been drawn parallel to the given straight line BC
.
- Q. E. F.