Euclid's Elements: Book I: Proposition 12
Proposition 12: To a given infinite straight line, from a given point which is not on it, to draw a perpendicular straight line.
Let AB be the given infinite straight line, and C the given point which is not on it;
thus it is required to draw to the given infinite straight line AB, from the given point C which is not on it, a perpendicular straight line.
For let a point D be taken at random on the other side of the straight line AB, and with centre C and distance CD let the circle EFG be described; Post. 3 let the straight line EG be bisected at H, I. 10 and let the straight lines CG, CH, CE be joined. Post. 1
I say that CH has been drawn perpendicular to the given infinite straight line AB from the given point C which is not on it.
For, since GH is equal to HE, and HC is common, the two sides GH, HC are equal to the two sides EH, HC respectively; and the base CG is equal to the base CE;
therefore the angle CHG is equal to the angle EHC. I. 8 And they are adjacent angles.
But, when a straight line set up on a straight line makes the adjacent angles equal to one another, each of the equal angles is right, and the straight line standing on the other is called a perpendicular to that on which it stands. Def. 10
Therefore CH has been drawn perpendicular to the given infinite straight line AB from the given point C which is not on it.
Q.E.F. | 
