Proving equivalence to Euclid Parallel Postulate

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter pholee95
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Equivalence Parallel
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the equivalence between the Euclid Parallel Postulate and Proclus’s Axiom. The Euclid Parallel Postulate asserts that for any line l and a point P not on l, there exists exactly one line m through P that is parallel to l. Proclus’s Axiom states that if two lines l and l' are parallel and a line t intersects l, then t must also intersect l'. The proof provided demonstrates that the Parallel Postulate implies Proclus’s Axiom by showing that if line t intersects line l, it must also intersect line l' due to the uniqueness of parallel lines established by the Parallel Postulate.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Euclidean geometry principles
  • Familiarity with the concepts of parallel lines
  • Knowledge of logical proof techniques
  • Basic comprehension of axiomatic systems in mathematics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the Euclid Parallel Postulate in non-Euclidean geometries
  • Explore the historical context and significance of Proclus’s Axiom
  • Learn about other axiomatic systems and their relationship to Euclidean geometry
  • Investigate the converse of the Euclid Parallel Postulate and its proofs
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, geometry educators, students of mathematics, and anyone interested in the foundations of geometric principles and axiomatic reasoning.

pholee95
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
I'm having a hard time proving that the Euclid Parallel Postulate is equivalent to this theorem. Can anyone please help?

Euclid Parallel Postulate states: For every line l and point P not on l, there exists exactly one line m so that P is on m and m||l.

the theorem states: (Proclus’s Axiom) If l and l' are parallel lines and t is not equal to l is a line such that t intersects
l then t also intersects l'.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
pholee95 said:
I'm having a hard time proving that the Euclid Parallel Postulate is equivalent to this theorem. Can anyone please help?

Euclid Parallel Postulate states: For every line l and point P not on l, there exists exactly one line m so that P is on m and m||l.

the theorem states: (Proclus’s Axiom) If l and l' are parallel lines and t is not equal to l is a line such that t intersects
l then t also intersects l'.
Let's show that the Parallel postulate implies Proclus.

Let $\ell$ and $\ell'$ be parallel lines and $t$ be a line different from $\ell$ which intersects $\ell$. We want to show that $t$ intersects $\ell'$. Say $t$ intersects $\ell$ in a point $p$. If $\ell=\ell'$ then there is nothing to prove. So assume that $\ell\neq \ell'$. So $\ell$ is a line passing through $p$ which is parallel to $\ell'$. By the Parallel Postulate, $\ell$ is the unique such line since $p$ is not on $\ell'$. Thus $t$ cannot be parallel to $\ell'$. Therefore $t$ must intersect $\ell'$ and we are done.

Can you try the converse?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K