| If one mean proportional number falls between two numbers, then the numbers are similar plane numbers. | ||
| Let one mean proportional number C fall between the two numbers A and B.
I say that A and B are similar plane numbers. | ||
| Take D and E, the least numbers of those which have the same ratio with A and C. Then D measures A the same number of times that E measures C. | VII.33
VII.20 | |
| Let there be as many units in F as times that D measures A. Then F multiplied by D makes A, so that A is plane, and D and F are its sides. | ||
| Again, since D and E are the least of the numbers which have the same ratio with C and B, therefore D measures C the same number of times that E measures B. | VII.20 | |
| Let there be as many units in G as times that E measures B. Then E measures B according to the units in G. Therefore G multiplied by E makes B.
Therefore B is plane, and E and G are its sides. Therefore A and B are plane numbers. I say next that they are also similar. | ||
| Since F multiplied by D makes A, and multiplied by E makes C, therefore D is to E as A is to C, that is, C to B. | VII.17 | |
| Again, since E multiplied by F and G makes C and B respectively, therefore F is to G as C is to B. But C is to B as D is to E, therefore D is to E as F is to G. And alternately D is to F as E is to G. | VII.17 | |
| Therefore A and B are similar plane numbers, for their sides are proportional. | ||
| Therefore, if one mean proportional number falls between two numbers, then the numbers are similar plane numbers. | ||
| Q.E.D. | ||
An example might clarify the details. The variables refer to the outline of the proof below. The numbers a =18 and b =50 have a mean proportional c = 30. When a:c is converted to lowest terms, the result is d:e = 3:5. Then f, which is a/d, equals 6, and the number a = 18 is seen as the plane number d = 3 by f = 6. Also g, which is d/c, equals 10, and the number b = 50 is seen as the plane number e = 5 by g = 10. The sides of these plane numbers, 3 by 6 and 5 by 10, are proportional.
Now since, c:b is the same ratio as a:c, it also reduces to the ratio d:e in lowest terms. Therefore, d divides c the same number of times that e divides b; call that number g. Then b is a plane number with sides e and g.
Furthermore, the two plane numbers a and b are similar since we can show their sides are proportional as follows. From the three proportions d:e = a:c (which follows from a = fd and c = fe), a:c = c:b (since c is a mean proportional), and c:b = f:g (which follows from g = ef and b = ec), therefore, d:e = f:g, and alternately, d:f = e:g. Thus, the two plane numbers have proportional sides.
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