previous next


But A, D are prime, primes are also least, [VII. 21] and the least numbers measure those which have the same ratio the same number of times, the antecedent the antecedent and the consequent the consequent. [VII. 20]

Therefore A measures B.

And, as A is to B, so is B to C.

Therefore B also measures C; so that A also measures C.

And since, as B is to C, so is C to D, and B measures C, therefore C also measures D.

But A measured C; so that A also measures D.

But it also measures itself; therefore A measures A, D which are prime to one another : which is impossible.

Therefore D will not be to any other number as A is to B. Q. E. D.


PROPOSITION 18.

Given two numbers, to investigate whether it is possible to find a third proportional to them.

Let A, B be the given two numbers, and let it be required to investigate whether it is possible to find a third proportional to them.

Now A, B are either prime to one another or not.

And, if they are prime to one another, it has been proved that it is impossible to find a third proportional to them. [IX. 16]

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United States License.

An XML version of this text is available for download, with the additional restriction that you offer Perseus any modifications you make. Perseus provides credit for all accepted changes, storing new additions in a versioning system.

hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: