Common Sections of Parallel Planes with other Plane are Parallel

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Theorem

In the words of Euclid:

If two parallel planes be cut by any plane, their common sections are parallel.

(The Elements: Book $\text{XI}$: Proposition $16$)


Proof

Euclid-XI-16.png

Let $AB$ and $CD$ be two planes which are parallel.

Let $AB$ and $CD$ be cut by the plane $EFGH$.

Let:

$EF$ be the common section of $EFGH$ and $AB$

and:

$GH$ be the common section of $EFGH$ and $CD$.

It is to be shown that $EF$ is parallel to $GH$.


Suppose that $EF$ and $GH$ are not parallel.

Then when produced, they will meet, either in the direction of $F$ and $H$, or in the direction of $E$ and $G$.

WLOG suppose they meet at $K$ when produced in the direction of $F$ and $H$.

We have that $EFK$ is in the plane $AB$.

Therefore from Proposition $1$ of Book $\text{XI} $: Straight Line cannot be in Two Planes:

all the points of $EFK$ are in the plane $AB$.

But $K$ is one of the points of $EFK$.

Therefore $K$ is in the plane $AB$.

For the same reason, $K$ is also in the plane $CD$.

Therefore the planes $AB$ and $CD$ will meet when produced.

But they do not meet, because they are parallel.

Therefore $EF$ and $GH$ will not meet when produced in the direction of $F$ and $H$.

By the same argument, $EF$ and $GH$ will not meet when produced in the direction of $E$ and $G$.

But from Book $\text{I}$ Definition $23$: Parallel Lines:

$EF$ is parallel to $GH$.

$\blacksquare$


Historical Note

This proof is Proposition $16$ of Book $\text{XI}$ of Euclid's The Elements.


Sources