The Encyclopedia of Geometry (0027)


Problem

When two line segments $AB$ and $CD$ are parallel to each other in the same direction, if we take a point $P$ that is not between $AB$ and $CD$, then

$$|∠ABP-∠CDP|=∠BPD.$$


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Solution

(1) Suppose that $P$ is on the side of $AB$ with respect to $CD$.

If we draw a parallel line $PQ$ from $P$ in the same direction as $AB$, we have

$$∠BPQ=∠ABP, \qquad ∠DPQ=∠CDP.$$

As shown in the above figure, when $∠DPQ>∠BPQ$,

$$∠DPQ-∠BPQ=∠BPD,$$

$$∴ \ ∠CDP-∠ABP=∠BPD. \qquad [1]$$

As shown in the above figure, when $∠DPQ<∠BPQ$,

$$∠BPQ-∠DPQ=∠BPD,$$

$$∴ \ ∠ABP-∠CDP=∠BPD. \qquad [2]$$

As shown in the figure above, when $∠DPQ=∠BPQ$,

$$∠BPQ-∠DPQ=0=∠BPD,$$

$$∴ \ ∠ABP-∠CDP=∠BPD. \qquad [3]$$

From $[1], [2]$ and $[3]$,

$$|∠ABP-∠CDP|=∠BPD.$$

 

(2) The same proof can be given when $P$ is on the side of $CD$ with respect to $AB$.

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Reference

Teiichiro Sasabe (1976) The Encyclopedia of Geometry (2nd edition), Seikyo-Shinsha, p.9