Google Classroom
GeoGebraGeoGebra Classroom

Euclid's Elements, Book I: Proposition 20

If any triangle two sides taken together in any manner are greater than the remaining one.

In other words...

The sum of any two sides of a triangle is greater than the third side
1. Construct line AB. 2. Construct line AC. 3. Construct line BC. Triangle ABC is a trilateral figure contained by three lines AB, BC, and AC by definition 19.  We want to show  i. AB+AC > BC ii. AB+BC > AC iii. BC+ AC > AB 4-5. Construct segment AD on line AB such that AD=AC. 6. Construct segment CD. Triangle ACD is contained by lines AC, AD, and CD where AD=AC by construction.  By definition 20, triangle ACD is isosceles.