Similar Segments on Equal Bases are Equal

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Theorem

Similar segments of circles on equal bases are equal to one another.


Proof

Euclid-III-24.png

Let $AEB$ and $CFD$ be similar segments of circles on equal bases $AB$ and $CD$.


Let the segment $AEB$ be applied to $CFD$ so that $A$ be placed on $C$ and $AB$ on $CD$.

Then $B$ will coincide with $D$ as $AB = CD$.

Suppose that the segment $AEB$ does not coincide with $CFD$.

It will fall in one of three ways:

$(1) \quad$ Inside it
$(2) \quad$ Outside it
$(3) \quad$ Awry, as $CGD$.

If $CFD$ falls inside or ouside $AEB$, then by definition $AEB$ and $CFD$ are not similar.

But from Two Circles Have At Most Two Points of Intersection option $(3)$ is impossible.

Hence the result.

$\blacksquare$


Historical Note

This is Proposition 24 of Book III of Euclid's The Elements.

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