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3.1: Equivalent Parallel Postulates

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    89847
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    Each of the following is an equivalent Euclidean postulate.

    Equivalent Euclidean Postulates:

    • (Playfair) Given a line and a point not on that line, there exists exactly one line through that point parallel to the given line.
    • (Equidistance) Lines that are parallel are everywhere equidistant.
    • (Euclid) Given two lines and a transversal of those lines, if the sum of the angles on one side of the transversal is less than two right angles then the lines meet on that side.

    3.1.1 Preparation

    These theorems do not require a parallel postulate.

    Theorem: Alternate Interior Angles

    If the alternate interior angles formed by a transversal of two lines are equal, then the lines are parallel.

    Theorem: Point to line distance

    The (shortest) distance between a point and a line is from the point to the foot of the perpendicular.

    Theorem: Convenient Euclid Parallel Axiom

    Given two lines and a transversal of those lines, if the sum of the angles on one side of the transversal is equal to two right angles then the lines are parallel.

    3.1.2 Equivalency

    The following theorem produces an easier to use version of Euclid's postulate.

    The alternate interior angle converse theorem states Given parallel lines and a transversal of those lines, the alternate interior angles formed by the transversal are congruent.''


    This page titled 3.1: Equivalent Parallel Postulates is shared under a GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Mark A. Fitch via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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