In any triangle the greater angle is subtended by the greater side.
Let ABC be a triangle having
the angle ABC greater
than the angle BCA;
I say that the side AC
is also greater than the side
AB.
For, if not, AC is either equal to AB or less.
Now AC is not equal
to AB;
for then the angle ABC
would also have been equal
to the angle ACB;
[I. 5]
but it is not;
therefore AC
is not equal to AB.
Neither is AC less than
AB,
for then the angle ABC
would also have been less
than the angle ACB;
[I. 18]
but it is not;
therefore AC
is not less than AB.
And it was proved that it is not equal either.
Therefore AC is
greater than AB.
Therefore etc. Q.E.D.
Book I: Euclid, Book I (ed. Sir Thomas L. Heath 1st Edition, 1908)
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