Euclid's Elements Book III Proposition 2
If two points are taken at random on the circumference of a circle, then the straight line joining the points falls within the circle.
Let ABC be a circle, and let two points A and B be taken at random on its circumference.
I say that the straight line joined from A to B falls within the circle.
For suppose it does not, but, if possible, let it fall outside, as AEB.
Take the center D of the circle ABC. (III.1)
Join DA and DB, and draw DFE through.
Then, since DA equals DB, the angle DAE also equals the angle DBE. (I.5)
And, since one side AEB of the triangle DAE is produced, the angle DEB is greater than the angle DAE. (I.16)
And the angle DAE equals the angle DBE, therefore the angle DEB is greater than the angle DBE.
And the side opposite the greater angle is greater, therefore DB is greater than DE. (I.19)
But DB equals DF, therefore DF is greater than DE, the less greater than the greater, which is impossible.
Therefore the straight line joined from A to B does not fall outside the circle.
Similarly we can prove that neither does it fall on the circumference itself, therefore it falls within.
Therefore if two points are taken at random on the circumference of a circle, then the straight line joining the points falls within the circle.
Q.E.D.
Proposition 1 <-- Proposition 2 --> Proposition 3
| 
