Euclid, Elements
Thomas L. Heath, Sir Thomas Little Heath, Ed.

PROPOSITION 3.

Let ABC be the given circle, and DEF the given triangle;
thus it is required to circumscribe about the circle ABC a triangle equiangular with the triangle DEF.

Let EF be produced in both directions to the points G, H, let the centre K of the circle ABC be taken [III. 1], and let
the straight line KB be drawn across at random; on the straight line KB, and at the point K on it, let the angle BKA be constructed equal to the angle DEG, and the angle BKC equal to the angle DFH; [I. 23] and through the points A, B, C let LAM, MBN, NCL be
drawn touching the circle ABC. [III. 16, Por.]

Now, since LM, MN, NL touch the circle ABC at the points A, B, C, and KA, KB, KC have been joined from the centre K to the points A, B, C,
therefore the angles at the points A, B, C are right. [III. 18]

And, since the four angles of the quadrilateral AMBK are equal to four right angles, inasmuch as AMBK is in fact divisible into two triangles,

But the angles DEG, DEF are also equal to two right angles; [I. 13] therefore the angles AKB, AMB are equal to the angles
DEG, DEF, of which the angle AKB is equal to the angle DEG;

Similarly it can be proved that the angle LNB is also
equal to the angle DFE;

Therefore the triangle LMN is equiangular with the triangle DEF; and it has been circumscribed about the
circle ABC.

Therefore about a given circle there has been circumscribed a triangle equiangular with the given triangle. Q. E. F. ^{1 2}