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PROPOSITION 10.

To cut a given uncut straight line similarly to a given cut straight line.

Let AB be the given uncut straight line, and AC the straight line cut at the points D, E; and let them be so placed as to contain any angle; let CB be joined, and through D, E let DF, EG be drawn parallel to BC, and through D let DHK be drawn parallel to AB. [I. 31]

Therefore each of the figures FH, HB is a parallelogram; therefore DH is equal to FG and HK to GB. [I. 34]

Now, since the straight line HE has been drawn parallel to KC, one of the sides of the triangle DKC, therefore, proportionally, as CE is to ED, so is KH to HD. [VI. 2]

But KH is equal to BG, and HD to GF; therefore, as CE is to ED, so is BG to GF.

Again, since FD has been drawn parallel to GE, one of the sides of the triangle AGE, therefore, proportionally, as ED is to DA, so is GF to FA. [VI. 2]

But it was also proved that,

as CE is to ED, so is BG to GF; therefore, as CE is to ED, so is BG to GF, and, as ED is to DA, so is GF to FA.

Therefore the given uncut straight line AB has been cut similarly to the given cut straight line AC. Q. E. F.

Euclid. Euclid's Elements. Sir Thomas Little Heath. New York. Dover. 1956.

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