Lets have a line divided into two parts by a point S. Lets construct a ray from S that has an angle of alpha with the left ray beginning with S. Lets construct another angle of measure alpha, this time using the right ray as a side of our angle. If alpha is arbitrary, then the angle between them is also arbitrary. Lets construct a line perpendicular to line on which S lies that goes through S. Lets choose an arbitrary point on the line P (the point should be above S). Lets construct two lines going through P that are perpendicular to the sides of angles we have already constructed. Lets name the intersection points X and Y. I claim that when we draw a line segment between X and Y we get a segment perpendicular to our base line (the one with S). I, further claim that the triangle PXY is isoceles. (We use the fact that the left our two identical angles is congruent to its alternate interior angle. We also know that the PXY is equal to 90-alpha degrees We can use the same deduction to show that PYX is 90-alpha degrees.)
Therefore the distance between PX and PY is identical.
Is the proof correct?
Best Answer
Lets have an angle XSY and a ray SP in that angle such that the angles PYS and PXS are right angles.
Lets assume that XSP is congruent to YSP. Then the side PS in one triangle is congruent to PS in the other triangle, the angle PSX in one triangle is congruent to the angle PSY in the other triangle (by assumption) and the right angle in one triangle is congruent to the right angle in the other triangle. By AAS the triangles are congruent and so even the corresponding sides PX and PY are congruent.
Lets assume that the sides PX and PY are congruent. Then these two corresponding sides are congruent, the side PS in one triangle is congruent to the side PS in the other triangle and (significantly) the right angle in one triangle is congruent to the other right angle in the other triangle. By HL the triangles are congruent and so even the angles PSX and PSY are congruent.