Book 1
21
I say that BD, DC are less than the remaining two sides of the triangle BA, AC, but contain an angle BDC greater than the angle BAC.
21
For let BD be drawn through to E.
21
Then, since in any triangle two sides are greater than the remaining one, [I. 20] therefore, in the triangle ABE, the two sides AB, AE are greater than BE.
21
Let EC be added to each; therefore BA, AC are greater than BE, EC.
21
Again, since, in the triangle CED, the two sides CE, ED are greater than CD, let DB be added to each; therefore CE, EB are greater than CD, DB.
21
But BA, AC were proved greater than BE, EC; therefore BA, AC are much greater than BD, DC.
21
Again, since in any triangle the exterior angle is greater than the interior and opposite angle, [I. 16] therefore, in the triangle CDE, the exterior angle BDC is greater than the angle CED.
21
For the same reason, moreover, in the triangle ABE also, the exterior angle CEB is greater than the angle BAC. But the angle BDC was proved greater than the angle CEB; therefore the angle BDC is much greater than the angle BAC.
21
Therefore etc.
21
Q. E. D.
Proposition 22.
22
Enunciation Out of three straight lines, which are equal to three given straight lines, to construct a triangle: thus it is necessary that two of the straight lines taken together in any manner should be greater than the remaining one. [I. 20]
