Proposition 2.9
If a straight line be cut into equal and unequal segments, the squares on the unequal segments of the whole are double of the square on the half and of the square on the straight line between the points of section.
For let a straight line AB
be cut into equal segments at C
, and into unequal segments at D
;
I say that the squares on AD
, DB
are double of the squares on AC
, CD
.
For let CE
be drawn from C
at right angles to AB
, and let it be made equal to either AC
or CB
; let EA
, EB
be joined, let DF
be drawn through D
parallel to EC
, and FG
through F
parallel to AB
, and let AF
be joined.
Then, since AC
is equal to CE
, the angle EAC
is also equal to the angle AEC
.
And, since the angle at C
is right, the remaining angles EAC
, AEC
are equal to one right angle. [I. 32]
And they are equal; therefore each of the angles CEA
, CAE
is half a right angle.
For the same reason each of the angles CEB
, EBC
is also half a right angle; therefore the whole angle AEB
is right.
And, since the angle GEF
is half a right angle, EGF
is right, for it is equal to the interior and opposite angle ECB
, [I. 29] the remaining angle EFG
is half a right angle; [I. 32] therefore the angle GEF
is equal to the angle EFG
, so that the side EG
is also equal to GF
. [I. 6]
Again, since the angle at B
is half a right angle, and the angle FDB
is right, for it is again equal to the interior and opposite angle ECB
, [I. 29] the remaining angle BFD
is half a right angle; [I. 32] therefore the angle at B
is equal to the angle DFB
, so that the side FD
is also equal to the side DB
. [I. 6]
Now, since AC
is equal to CE
, the square on AC
is also equal to the square on CE
; therefore the squares on AC
, CE
are double of the square on AC
.
But the square on EA
is equal to the squares on AC
, CE
, for the angle ACE
is right; [I. 47] therefore the square on EA
is double of the square on AC
.
Again, since EG
is equal to GF
, the square on EG
is also equal to the square on GF
; therefore the squares on EG
, GF
are double of the square on GF
.
But the square on EF
is equal to the squares on EG
, GF
; therefore the square on EF
is double of the square on GF
.
But GF
is equal to CD
; [I. 34] therefore the square on EF
is double of the square on CD
.
But the square on EA
is also double of the square on AC
; therefore the squares on AE
, EF
are double of the squares on AC
, CD
.
And the square on AF
is equal to the squares on AE
, EF
, for the angle AEF
is right; [I. 47] therefore the square on AF
is double of the squares on AC
, CD
.
But the squares on AD
, DF
are equal to the square on AF
, for the angle at D
is right; [I. 47] therefore the squares on AD
, DF
are double of the squares on AC
, CD
.
And DF
is equal to DB
; therefore the squares on AD
, DB
are double of the squares on AC
, CD
.
Therefore etc. Q. E. D.