Chapter 5 – Introduction to Euclid’s Geometry
Exercise 5.1 Page: 67
1. Which of the following statements are true and which are false? Give reasons for your answers.
(i) Only one line can pass through a single point.
(ii) There are an infinite number of lines which pass through two distinct points.
(iii) A terminated line can be produced indefinitely on both the sides.
(iv) If two circles are equal, then their radii are equal.
(v) In Fig. 5.9, if AB = PQ and PQ = XY, then AB = XY.
Solution:
(i) False
There can be infinite number of lines that can be drawn through a single point. Hence, the statement mentioned is False
(ii) False
Through two distinct points, there can be only one line that can be drawn. Hence, the statement mentioned is False
(iii) True
A line that is terminated can be indefinitely produced on both sides as a line can be extended on both its sides infinitely. Hence, the statement mentioned is True.
(iv) True
The radii of two circles are equal when the two circles are equal. The circumference and the centre of both the circles coincide; and thus, the radius of the two circles should be equal. Hence, the statement mentioned is True.
(v) True
According to Euclid’s 1st axiom- “Things which are equal to the same thing are also equal to one another”. Hence, the statement mentioned is True.
2. Give a definition for each of the following terms. Are there other terms that need to be defined first? What are they, and how might you define them?
(i) parallel lines
(ii) perpendicular lines
(iii) line segment
(iv) radius of a circle
(v) square
Solution:
Yes, there are other terms which need to be defined first. They are as follows:
Plane: Flat surfaces in which geometric figures can be drawn are known as planes. A plane surface is a surface which lies evenly with straight lines on it.
Point: A dimensionless dot which is drawn on a plane surface is known as point. A point is that which has no part.
Line: A collection of points that has only length and no breadth is known as a line. It can be extended in both directions. A line is breadth-less length.
(i) Parallel lines – Parallel lines are those lines which never intersect each other and are always at a constant perpendicular distance between each other. Parallel lines can be two or more lines.
(ii) Perpendicular lines – Perpendicular lines are those lines which intersect each other in a plane at right angles. The lines are said to be perpendicular to each other.
(iii) Line segment – When a line cannot be extended any further because of its two end points, then the line is known as a line segment. A line segment has 2 end points.
(iv) Radius of circle – A radius of a circle is the line from any point on the circumference of the circle to the center of the circle.
(v) Square – A quadrilateral in which all the four sides are said to be equal, and each of its internal angles is a right angle, is called square.
3. Consider two ‘postulates’ given below:
(i) Given any two distinct points A and B, there exists a third point C which is in between A and B.
(ii) There exist at least three points that are not on the same line.
Do these postulates contain any undefined terms? Are these postulates consistent? Do they follow from Euclid’s postulates? Explain.
Solution:
Yes, these postulates contain undefined terms. Undefined terms in the postulates are as follows:
– There are many points that lie in a plane. But, in the postulates given here, the position of the point C is not given, as of whether it lies on the line segment joining AB or not.
– On top of that, there is no information about whether the points are in same plane or not.
And
Yes, these postulates are consistent when we deal with these two situations:
– Point C is lying on the line segment AB in between A and B.
– Point C does not lie on the line segment AB.
No, they don’t follow from Euclid’s postulates. They follow the axioms.
4. If a point C lies between two points A and B such that AC = BC, then prove that AC = ½ AB. Explain by drawing the figure.
Solution:
Given that, AC = BC
Now, adding AC both sides.
L.H.S+AC = R.H.S+AC
AC+AC = BC+AC
2AC = BC+AC
We know that, BC+AC = AB (as it coincides with line segment AB)
∴ 2 AC = AB (If equals are added to equals, the wholes are equal.)
⇒ AC = (½)AB.
5. In Question 4, point C is called a mid-point of line segment AB. Prove that every line segment has one and only one mid-point.
Solution:
Let, AB be the line segment
Assume that points P and Q are the two different mid points of AB.
Now,
∴ P and Q are midpoints of AB.
Therefore,
AP = PB and AQ = QB.
also,
PB+AP = AB (as it coincides with line segment AB)
Similarly, QB+AQ = AB.
Now,
Adding AP to the L.H.S and R.H.S of the equation AP = PB
We get, AP+AP = PB+AP (If equals are added to equals, the wholes are equal.)
⇒ 2AP = AB — (i)
Similarly,
2 AQ = AB — (ii)
From (i) and (ii), Since R.H.S are same, we equate the L.H.S
2 AP = 2 AQ (Things which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another.)
⇒ AP = AQ (Things which are double of the same things are equal to one another.)
Thus, we conclude that P and Q are the same points.
This contradicts our assumption that P and Q are two different mid points of AB.
Thus, it is proved that every line segment has one and only one mid-point.
Hence Proved.
6. In Fig. 5.10, if AC = BD, then prove that AB = CD.
Solution:
It is given, AC = BD
From the given figure, we get,
AC = AB+BC
BD = BC+CD
⇒ AB+BC = BC+CD [AC = BD, given]
We know that, according to Euclid’s axiom, when equals are subtracted from equals, remainders are also equal.
Subtracting BC from the L.H.S and R.H.S of the equation AB+BC = BC+CD, we get,
AB+BC-BC = BC+CD-BC
AB = CD
Hence Proved.
7. Why is Axiom 5, in the list of Euclid’s axioms, considered a ‘universal truth’? (Note that the question is not about the fifth postulate.)
Solution:
Axiom 5: The whole is always greater than the part.
For Example: A cake. When it is whole or complete, assume that it measures 2 pounds but when a part from it is taken out and measured, its weight will be smaller than the previous measurement. So, the fifth axiom of Euclid is true for all the materials in the universe. Hence, Axiom 5, in the list of Euclid’s axioms, is considered a ‘universal truth’.