Common Sections of Parallel Planes with other Plane are Parallel

Proof

 * Euclid-XI-16.png

Let $AB$ and $CD$ be two planes which are parallel.

Let $AB$ and $CD$ be cut by the plane $EFGH$.

Let:
 * $EF$ be the common section of $EFGH$ and $AB$

and:
 * $GH$ be the common section of $EFGH$ and $CD$.

It is to be shown that $EF$ is parallel to $GH$.

Suppose that $EF$ and $GH$ are not parallel.

Then when produced, they will meet, either in the direction of $F$ and $H$, or in the direction of $E$ and $G$.

WLOG suppose they meet at $K$ when produced in the direction of $F$ and $H$.

We have that $EFK$ is in the plane $AB$.

Therefore from :
 * all the points of $EFK$ are in the plane $AB$.

But $K$ is one of the points of $EFK$.

Therefore $K$ is in the plane $AB$.

For the same reason, $K$ is also in the plane $CD$.

Therefore the planes $AB$ and $CD$ will meet when produced.

But they do not meet, because they are parallel.

Therefore $EF$ and $GH$ will not meet when produced in the direction of $F$ and $H$.

By the same argument, $EF$ and $GH$ will not meet when produced in the direction of $E$ and $G$.

But from :
 * $EF$ is parallel to $GH$.