The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0018)


Problem

Two straight lines perpendicular to the same straight line are parallel to each other.

$$ $$

$$ $$

$\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$ $\downarrow$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$

$$ $$


Solution

Assume that $AB$ and $CD$ are both orthogonal to $XY$ at $A$ and $C$, and that $B$ and $D$ are both on the same side of $XY$.

Then,

$$AB⊥XY,$$

$$∴ \ ∠BAY=∠R.$$

$$CD⊥XY,$$

$$∴ \ ∠DCY=∠R.$$

Therefore, since the corresponding angles are equal,

$$AB∥CD.$$

$ $
$ $
$ $

Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, p.7