Proposition I.38
Triangles which are on equal bases and in the same parallels are equal to one another.
Let ABC
, DEF
be triangles on equal bases BC
, EF
and in the same parallels BF
, AD
; I say that the triangle ABC
is equal to the triangle DEF
.
For let AD
be produced in both directions to G
, H
; through B
let BG
be drawn parallel to CA
, I.31 and through F
let FH
be drawn parallel to DE
.
Then each of the figures GBCA
, DEFH
is a parallelogram; and GBCA
is equal to DEFH
;
for they are on equal bases BC
, EF
and in the same parallels BF
, GH
. I.36
Moreover the triangle ABC
is half of the parallelogram GBCA
; for the diameter AB
bisects it. I.34
And the triangle FED
is half of the parallelogram DEFH
; for the diameter DF
bisects it. I.34
[But the halves of equal things are equal to one another.]
Therefore the triangle ABC
is equal to the triangle DEF
.
Therefore etc.
- Q. E. D.