Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

The Fifth postulate or also known as the parallel postulate which proposed by Euclid in The Elements has been made subject to be proven by mathematicians throughout the many centuries past. Some of these attempts put forward their own theorem to prove that Euclids parallel postulate is invalid for despite many attempts, failed to be deduced from the four previous postulates. However, some others tried to form less difficult explanation on matters involving paralleling lines, thus using the proof to verify the existence of such lines. One of these notable proofs was proposed by Al-Haytham, an Arabic physicist, mathematician and astronomer. Parallel postulate by Euclid was stated as follows; That, if a straight line falling on two straight lines make the interior angles on the same side less than two right angles, the two straight lines, if produced indefinitely, meet on that side on which are the angles less than the two right angles.

In the Figure 1 above, if +<180, then L1 and L2 will intersect on the right, on the side which the sum of the two interior angles is less than two right angle that also equal to 180. On the other hand, if +=180, L1 and L2 will never intersect each other, notwithstanding how long these two lines extended. The fact that L1 and L2 will never intersect in Figure 2 is actually described what Euclid had proposed as a nature of parallel lines. As mentioned above, Al-Haytham was one of the mathematicians that had put his own proof forward as a verification of Euclids parallel postulate. The following sections in this report will discuss the steps that involved in developing Al-Haythams proof as a complement to the theorem being

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

discussed. As an aid in the explanation process, there will be accompanying sketches which were illustrated using the Geometers Sketchpad application. To begin his proof, Al-Haytham beforehand restating Euclids definition of parallel line which goes as follows; Parallel straight lines are coplanar lines such that if produced indefinitely in both directions they do not intersect in either direction Besides, Al-Haytham also provides a definition of his own in regard to the parallel line in a following way; If a straight line moves so that one end always lies on a second straight line and so that it always remains perpendicular to that line, then the other end of the moving line will trace out a straight line parallel to the second line. Afterward, he begins his proof with a given vertical line AB with no predetermined length. However, by using the Geometers Sketchpad application, we are able to draw a neater sketch by enabling the gridlines as an accurate guide though in this case, it wont necessarily affects the validity of the theorem that we are trying to prove.

Figure 3. Step 1 of Al-Haytham proof The second step in his proof is to construct another line horizontally from the endpoint A thus forming a line of AC that also produce a right angle to AB. empezar_dc@ymail.com 2

Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

Figure 4. Step 2 of Al-Haytham proof Similarly, he constructs a line of BD which also forms a right angle to AB. The result of right angle here shows that both lines CA and DB are perpendicular to the line AB.

Figure 5. Step 3 of Al-Haytham proof He then drops a straight line from endpoint C to the point D thus completing the rectangle ABCD. This proof at this point was actually regarded as equivalent to the parallel postulate since Euclid himself had proposed in his later postulates of the existence of parallelogram and this is obtained using the result of the parallel postulate.

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

In this next step where the rectangle is completed, Al-Haytham claims that CD is equal to AB and this is logically acceptable since reactangle refers to the figure with four right angles.

Figure 6. Step 4 of Al-Haytham proof As verification, the measurement tool provided by the Geometers Sketchpad can be utilized to get the accurate length and the angles value of the sketch we are working on. Shown in the Figure 7 below are the lengths of four sides of rectangle ABCD along with the included angles value. As what has been claimed by Al-Haytham, side AC is equal to BD and side CD is equal to AB. These four sides perfectly forming four right angles included in rectangle ABCD.

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

Figure 7. Step 5 of Al-Haytham proof Next step in Al-Haytham proof shows that he then extends the line of CA to the right of the rectangle, through point A to form a line of AE. Similarly for BD, it is extended to form a straight line of BF through B also to right of the rectangle ABCD.

Figure 8. Step 6 of Al-Haytham proof After that, the line of AE will be cut upon reaching the point where its length is equal to CA. And from endpoint E, he drops a perpendicular line downward which extends until it intersects with the prolonged line of BF through point B. Shown in Figure 9 below are two adjoining rectangles with common side of AB. To the right of the sketch are the angle values of vertex E and F which are a right angle.

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

Figure 9. Step 7 of Al-Haytham proof After that he draws two lines diagonally from C and E to the same endpoint of B. Logically, and supported by the characteristics of these two rectangles from the previous steps alone, we can actually see that these rectangles are congruent. However, following Al-Haytham proof necessitate us to prove that they are congruent regardless the measurement shown.

Figure 10. Step 8 of Al-Haytham proof empezar_dc@ymail.com 6

Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

There are several things that Al-Haytham proves as true in this step. First is that the side of CD is equal to EF. This is proven by basing the Side-Angle-Side theorem since CA is equal to AE, both angles EAB and CAB are a right angle and both adjoined by the common side of AB, therefore the triangles CAB and EAB must also be equal. This suggests that the line of CB is equal to EB and the two remaining angles must also be equal. The proof continued to show that angle CBA and angle EBA are equal, and since angles ABD and ABF are equal, therefore the angles CBD and EBF must also be equal. Still using the same theorem as basis, he claims that since the angles CDB and EFB are equal and sides of DB and BF are equal, the triangles CDB and EFB must be equal. Consequently, CD and EF are also equal.

Figure 11. Step 9 of Al-Haytham proof To further emphasis his claims, the figure is slightly altered by moving point A vertically downward. Still, the triangles of CAB and EAB must still be equal since both are sharing a common side of AB. By assumption, he claims that CD and EF now are longer than AB.

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

Figure 12. Step 10 of Al-Haytham proof Next in his proof, point C and E reconnected with the midpoint H. Al-Haytham then says to imagine the side of EF to move along FB and remains perpendicular to it so throughout the motion the right angle of EFB is maintained. When point F coincides with point B, the line of EF will also become overlapped with AB forming a straight vertical line. However, since point A was downwardly altered and its length is now less than EF, point E will lies outside AB and EF now is equal in length with HB. Next, the side of BH will be slid along BD. Gradually when point B coincides with point D, HB will become overlapped with DC because angles HBF and CDB are equal. Since BH=EF=CD, Al-Haytham claims that point H will coincides with C. Similarly, if EF is to move along FD, the point E and F will coincides with C and D respectively. To conclude his proof, he notes that if any straight line moves in this way then its ends will describe a straight line. Hence, point E describes the straight line of EHC. Since H is not lying on AB, as long as it is extended along EHC, no matter how infinite it might be, it will never coincides with point A.

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

Figure 13. Step 11 of Al-Haytham proof In relation to the parallel postulate, Al-Haytham has proved through these steps that parallel line is exists as what proposed by Euclid. And towards the end of the conclusion of his proof, he had shown that it is in accordance with his earlier statements that; Parallel straight lines are coplanar lines such that if produced indefinitely in both directions they do not intersect in either direction and; If a straight line moves so that one end always lies on a second straight line and so that it always remains perpendicular to that line, then the other end of the moving line will trace out a straight line parallel to the second line. As mentioned before, the Geometers Sketchpad application is used during the process of discussing the selected theorem. Throughout the process, specifically where drawing is involved, GSP had made it possible for our group to easily illustrate the pertaining figure neatly. Even though we took quite a long period to get familiar with the workspace, as this is the first time for everyone in the group using the program, but after a while we manage to utilize it as necessary.

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Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

Primarily, the main obvious feature that enhances the ability of such an application is that the workspace is aids by numerous tools which transform mathematical task, especially those that related to geometric drawing into an easier form. For an example, GSPs workspace can be viewed in a grid form which is really helps user to sketch something based on their preference in term of an accurate measurement. In our case however, an accurate measurement is not really an emphasis because what we are trying to prove is the existence of the parallel lines and its characteristics though of course, the task is much convenient to perform with the grid lines visible. Besides, there a numerous built-in function that we can use to aid us in obtaining the value of geometric-related measurement such as length, distance, perimeter, circumference, area, ratio and radius, just to name a few. Not all of the aforementioned measurement was involved in our study yet we still utilize the angle-measurement function to make sure we have illustrated the perfect right angle. And it does happen during our study that the intended right angle turned out to be slightly deviate from the exact value by a mere small degrees. Even the sketch looks flawless, eventually such a deviation would affect the whole calculation so in order to avoid a bigger mistake, it is always a wise move to make sure each and every measurement is accurate. As the theorem we choose involved a series of steps, we have to produce several different GSP files for each of the steps so it is another convenience that GSP provides a tile arrangement for the entire opened file. This way, we can easily view what are the files which currently open and choose which one to work on. After we were done, by clicking the minimize button, the view will back to the tile arrangement and we can continue to work on another file smoothly. So generally, GSP is an appropriate application that able to cater both students and educators needs by enriching and enhancing the process of learning to the whole new height. Geometry-related task become simpler and more automate which also saving a lot of time yet increasing the accuracy.

However, there are also few noticeable drawbacks of this program that we encountered throughout our study of the theorem. It is not an overstatement to say that using GSP is a time-consuming process as each and every step will be illustrated on the separate file. And especially for those who are empezar_dc@ymail.com 10

Modern Geometrics - Euclid 5th Postulates Verification by AlHaytham

new to GSP, it took a time to get familiar with the surrounding and all the tools provided. Besides, we have to memorize the command on how to obtain certain value. For example, to measure an angle, we have to choose three points and the point of the vertex to be measured must be the second point highlighted. This unconsciously will give a different value if the command followed is incorrect. Other than that, it is an inconvenient that we cannot zoom in or out the sketch were working on. If we are working with a rather large figure, we will likely to continuously dragging the Cartesian graph either horizontally or vertically to have a good look on the part of the figure that we want. And this can cause an unproductive time. The theorem that we choose basically involved only right angle and lines so we did not utilize the measurement tools apart from what is necessary for our study. However, in the step 10 and onwards of Al-Haytham proof, we initially want to include the value of interior angles of the triangles inscribed in the rectangles ABCD and in the process of doing so, we noticed that we cannot obtain the value of any reflex angles. Since the necessity for the measurement of an angle are three points, if for example we select angle ABC and mean its reflex angle, the value returned will be the angle value of ABC, but for the opposite complement angle which is the acute angle. All in all, the study of the chosen theorem; the fifth postulate by Euclid with a verification of AlHaytham proof is done rather smoothly by using the GSP application. In spite of the few minor drawbacks like what have been mentioned above, the experience of using the application is beneficial for everyone as a better understanding on the subject is gained.

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