Proposition 31.
In a circle the angle in the semicircle is right, that in a greater segment
less than a right angle, and that in a less segment greater than a right
angle; and further the angle of the greater segment is greater than a right
angle, and the angle of the less segment less than a right angle.
Let ABCD be a circle, let BC be its diameter, and E its centre,
and let BA, AC, AD, DC be joined;
I say that the angle BAC in the semicircle BAC is right,
the angle ABC in the segment ABC greater than the semicircle is less than a
right angle,
and the angle ADC in the segment ADC less than the semicircle is greater than
a right angle.
Let AE be joined, and let BA be carried through to F.
Then, since BE is equal to EA, the angle ABE is also equal to the angle BAE.
Again, since CE is equal to EA, the angle ACE is also equal to the angle CAE.
Therefore the whole angle BAC is equal to the two angles ABC, ACB.
But the angle FAC exterior to the triangle ABC is also equal to the two angles
ABC, ACB;
therefore the angle BAC is also equal to the angle FAC; therefore each is right;
therefore the angle BAC in the semicircle BAC is right.
Next, since in the triangle ABC the two angles ABC, BAC are less than two
right angles, and the angle BAC is a right angle, the angle ABC is less than a
right angle;
and it is the angle in the segment ABC greater than the semicircle.
Next, since ABCD is a quadrilateral in a circle, and the opposite angles of
quadrilaterals in circles are equal to two right angles, while the angle ABC is
less than a right angle,
therefore the angle ADC which remains is greater than a right angle; and it is
the angle in the segment ADC less than the semicircle.
I say further that the angle of the greater segment, namely that contained by
the circumference ABC and the straight line AC, is greater than a right angle;
and the angle of the less segment, namely that contained by the circumference
ADC and the straight line AC, is less than a right angle.
This is at once manifest. For, since the angle contained by the straight lines
BA, AC is right,
the angle contained by the circumference ABC and the straight line AC is
greater than a right angle.
Again, since the angle contained by the straight lines AC, AF is right,
the angle contained by the straight line CA and the circumference ADC is less
than a right angle.
Therefore, etc.
Q.E.D.
Ralph H. Abraham, 28 April, 1996.