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PROPOSITION 15.

In equal triangles which have one angle equal to one angle the sides about the equal angles are reciprocally proportional; and those triangles which have one angle equal to one angle, and in which the sides about the equal angles are reciprocally proportional, are equal.

Let ABC, ADE be equal triangles having one angle equal to one angle, namely the angle BAC to the angle DAE; I say that in the triangles ABC, ADE the sides about the equal angles are reciprocally proportional, that is to say, that,

as CA is to AD, so is EA to AB.

For let them be placed so that CA is in a straight line with AD; therefore EA is also in a straight line with AB. [I. 14]

Let BD be joined.

Since then the triangle ABC is equal to the triangle ADE, and BAD is another area, therefore, as the triangle CAB is to the triangle BAD, so is the triangle EAD to the triangle BAD. [V. 7]

But, as CAB is to BAD, so is CA to AD, [VI. 1] and, as EAD is to BAD, so is EA to AB. [id.]

Therefore also, as CA is to AD, so is EA to AB. [V. 11]

Therefore in the triangles ABC, ADE the sides about the equal angles are reciprocally proportional.

Next, let the sides of the triangles ABC, ADE be reciprocally proportional, that is to say, let EA be to AB as CA to AD; I say that the triangle ABC is equal to the triangle ADE.

For, if BD be again joined, since, as CA is to AD, so is EA to AB, while, as CA is to AD, so is the triangle ABC to the triangle BAD, and, as EA is to AB, so is the triangle EAD to the triangle BAD, [VI. 1] therefore, as the triangle ABC is to the triangle BAD, so is the triangle EAD to the triangle BAD. [V. 11]

Therefore each of the triangles ABC, EAD has the same ratio to BAD.

Therefore the triangle ABC is equal to the triangle EAD. [V. 9]

Therefore etc. Q. E. D.

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