Clay Mathematics Institute Historical Archive

Euclid's Elements, Book X

elem.10.1 Two unequal magnitudes being set out, if from the greater there be subtracted a magnitude greater than its half, and from that which is left a magnitude greater than its half, and if this process be repeated continually, there will be left some magnitude which will be less than the lesser magnitude set out. image
elem.10.2 If, when the less of two unequal magnitudes is continually subtracted in turn from the greater, that which is left never measures the one before it, the magnitudes will be incommensurable. image
elem.10.3 Given two commensurable magnitudes, to find their greatest common measure. image
elem.10.4 Given three commensurable magnitudes, to find their greatest common measure. image
elem.10.5 Commensurable magnitudes have to one another the ratio which a number has to a number. image
elem.10.6 If two magnitudes have to one another the ratio which a number has to a number, the magnitudes will be commensurable. image
elem.10.7 Incommensurable magnitudes have not to one another the ratio which a number has to a number. image
elem.10.8 If two magnitudes have not to one another the ratio which a number has to a number, the magnitudes will be incommensurable. image
elem.10.9 The squares on straight lines commensurable in length have to one another the ratio which a square number has to a square number; and squares which have to one another the ratio which a square number has to a square number will also have their sides commensurable in length. But the squares on straight lines incommensurable in length have not to one another the ratio which a square number has to a square number; and squares which have not to one another the ratio which a square number has to a square number will not have their sides commensurable in length either. image
elem.10.10 To find two straight lines incommensurable, the one in length only, and the other in square also, with an assigned straight line. image
elem.10.11 If four magnitudes be proportional, and the first be commensurable with the second, the third will also be commensurable with the fourth; and, if the first be incommensurable with the second, the third will also be incommensurable with the fourth. image
elem.10.12 Magnitudes commensurable with the same magnitude are commensurable with one another also. image
elem.10.13 If two magnitudes be commensurable, and the one of them be incommensurable with any magnitude, the remaining one will also be incommensurable with the same. image
elem.10.14 If four straight lines be proportional, and the square on the first be greater than the square on the second by the square on a straight line commensurable with the first, the square on the third will also be greater than the square on the fourth by the square on a straight line commensurable with the third. image
elem.10.15 If two commensurable magnitudes be added together, the whole will also be commensurable with each of them; and, if the whole be commensurable with one of them, the original magnitudes will also be commensurable. image
elem.10.16 If two incommensurable magnitudes be added together, the whole will also be incommensurable with each of them; and, if the whole be incommensurable with one of them, the original magnitudes will also be incommensurable. image
elem.10.17 If there be two unequal straight lines, and to the greater there be applied a parallelogram equal to the fourth part of the square on the less and deficient by a square figure, and if it divide it into parts which are commensurable in length, then the square on the greater will be greater than the square on the less by the square on a straight line commensurable with the greater. image
elem.10.18 If there be two unequal straight lines, and to the greater there be applied a parallelogram equal to the fourth part of the square on the less and deficient by a square figure, and if it divide it into parts which are incommensurable, the square on the greater will be greater than the square on the less by the square on a straight line incommensurable with the greater. image
elem.10.19 The rectangle contained by rational straight lines commensurable in length is rational. image
elem.10.20 If a rational area be applied to a rational straight line, it produces as breadth a straight line rational and commensurable in length with the straight line to which it is applied. image
elem.10.21 The rectangle contained by rational straight lines commensurable in square only is irrational, and the side of the square equal to it is irrational. Let the latter be called medial. image
elem.10.22 The square on a medial straight line, if applied to a rational straight line, produces as breadth a straight line rational and incommensurable in length with that to which it is applied. image
elem.10.23 A straight line commensurable with a medial straight line is medial. image
elem.10.24 The rectangle contained by medial straight lines commensurable in length is medial. image
elem.10.25 The rectangle contained by medial straight lines commensurable in square only is either rational or medial. image
elem.10.26 4 medial area does not exceed a medial area by a rational area. image
elem.10.27 To find medial straight lines commensurable in square only which contain a rational rectangle. image
elem.10.28 To find medial straight lines commensurable in square only which contain a medial rectangle. image
elem.10.29 To find two rational straight lines commensurable in square only and such that the square on the greater is greater than the square on the less by the square on a straight line commensurable in length with the greater. image
elem.10.30 To find two rational straight lines commensurable in square only and such that the square on the greater is greater is greater than the square on the less by the square on a straight line incommensurable in length with the greater. image
elem.10.31 To find two medial straight lines commensurable in square only, containing a rational rectangle, and such that the square on the greater is greater than the square on the less by the square on a straight line commensurable in length with the greater. image
elem.10.32 To find two medial straight lines commensurable in square only, containing a medial rectangle, and such that the square on the greater is greater than the square on the less by the square on a straight line commensurable with the greater. image
elem.10.33 To find two straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them rational but the rectangle contained by them medial. image
elem.10.34 To find two straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them medial but the rectangle contained by them rational. image
elem.10.35 To find two straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them medial and the rectangle contained by them medial and moreover incommensurable with the sum of the squares on them. image
elem.10.36 If two rational straight lines commensurable in square only be added together, the whole is irrational; and let it be called binomial. image
elem.10.37 If two medial straight lines commensurable in square only and containing a rational rectangle be added together, the whole is irrational; and let it be called a first bimedial straight line. image
elem.10.38 If two medial straight lines commensurable in square only and containing a medial rectangle be added together, the whole is irrational; and let it be called a second bimedial straight line. image
elem.10.39 If two straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them rational, but the rectangle contained by them medial, be added together, the whole straight line is irrational : and let it be called major. image
elem.10.40 If two straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them medial, but the rectangle contained by them rational, be added together, the whole straight line is irrational; and let it be called the side of a rational plus a medial area. image
elem.10.41 If two straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them medial, and the rectangle contained by them medial and also incommensurable with the sum of the squares on them, be added together, the whole straight line is irrational; and let it be called the side of the sum of two medial areas. image
elem.10.42 Let AB be a binomial straight line divided into its terms at C; therefore AC, CB are rational straight lines commensurable in square only. [X. 36 ] image
elem.10.43 A first bimedial straight line is divided at one point only. image
elem.10.44 A second bimedial straight line is divided at one point only. image
elem.10.45 A major straight line is divided at one and the same point only. image
elem.10.46 The side of a rational plus a medial area is divided at one point only. image
elem.10.47 The side of the sum of two medial areas is divided at one point only. image
elem.10.48 To find the first binomial straight line. image
elem.10.49 To find the second binomial straight line. image
elem.10.50 To find the third binomial straight line. image
elem.10.51 To find the fourth binomial straight line. image
elem.10.52 To find the fifth binomial straight line. image
elem.10.53 To find the sixth binomial straight line. image
elem.10.54 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and the first binomial, the “side” of the area is the irrational straight line which is called binomial. image
elem.10.55 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and the second binomial, the “side” of the area is the irrational straight line which is called a first bimedial. image
elem.10.56 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and the third binomial, the “side” of the area is the irrational straight line called a second bimedial. image
elem.10.57 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and the fourth binomial, the “side” of the area is the irrational straight line called major. image
elem.10.58 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and the fifth binomial, the “side” of the area is the irrational straight line called the side of a rational plus a medial area. image
elem.10.59 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and the sixth binomial, the “side” of the area is the irrational straight line called the side of the sum of two medial areas. image
elem.10.60 The square on the binomial straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth the first binomial. image
elem.10.61 The square on the first bimedial straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth the second binomial. image
elem.10.62 The square on the second bimedial straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth the third binomial. image
elem.10.63 The square on the major straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth the fourth binomial. image
elem.10.64 The square on the side of a rational plus a medial area applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth the fifth binomial. image
elem.10.65 The square on the side of the sum of two medial areas applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth the sixth binomial. image
elem.10.66 A straight line commensurable in length with a binomial straight line is itself also binomial and the same in order. image
elem.10.67 A straight line commensurable in length with a bimedial straight line is itself also bimedial and the same in order. image
elem.10.68 A straight line commensurable with a major straight line is itself also major. image
elem.10.69 A straight line commensurable with the side of a rational plus a medial area is itself also the side of a rational plus a medial area. image
elem.10.70 A straight line commensurable with the side of the sum of two medial areas is the side of the sum of two medial areas. image
elem.10.71 If a rational and a medial area be added together, four irrational straight lines arise, namely a binomial or a first bimedial or a major or a side of a rational plus a medial area. image
elem.10.72 If two medial areas incommensurable with one another be added together, the remaining two irrational straight lines arise, namely either a second bimedial or a side of the sum of two medial areas. image
elem.10.73 If from a rational straight line there be subtracted a rational straight line commensurable with the whole in square only, the remainder is irrational; and let it be called an apotome. image
elem.10.74 If from a medial straight line there be subtracted a medial straight line which is commensurable with the whole in square only, and which contains with the whole a rational rectangle, the remainder is irrational. And let it be called a first apotome of a medial straight line. image
elem.10.75 If from a medial straight line there be subtracted a medial straight line which is commensurable with the whole in square only, and which contains with the whole a medial rectangle, the remainder is irrational; and let it be called a second apotome of a medial straight line. image
elem.10.76 If from a straight line there be subtracted a straight line which is incommensurable in square with the whole and which with the whole makes the squares on them added together rational, but the rectangle contained by them medial, the remainder is irrational; and let it be called minor. image
elem.10.77 If from a straight line there be subtracted a straight line which is incommensurable in square with the whole, and which with the whole makes the sum of the squares on them medial, but twice the rectangle contained by them rational, the remainder is irrational: and let it be called that which produces with a rational area a medial whole. image
elem.10.78 If from a straight line there be subtracted a straight line which is incommensurable in square with the whole and which with the whole makes the sum of the squares on them medial, twice the rectangle contained by them medial, and further the squares on them incommensurable with twice the rectangle contained by them, the remainder is irrational; and let it be called that which produces with a medial area a medial whole. image
elem.10.79 To an apotome only one rational straight line can be annexed which is commensurable with the whole in square only. image
elem.10.80 To a first apotome of a medial straight line only one medial straight line can be annexed which is commensurable with the whole in square only and which contains with the whole a rational rectangle. image
elem.10.81 To a second apotome of a medial straight line only one medial straight line can be annexed which is commensurable with the whole in square only and which contains with the whole a medial rectangle. image
elem.10.82 To a minor straight line only one straight line can be annexed which is incommensurable in square with the whole and which makes, with the whole, the sum of the squares on them rational but twice the rectangle contained by them medial. image
elem.10.83 To a straight line which produces with a rational area a medial whole only one straight line can be annexed which is incommensurable in square with the whole straight line and which with the whole straight line makes the sum of the squares on them medial, but twice the rectangle contained by them rational. image
elem.10.84 To a straight line which produces with a medial area a medial whole only one straight line can be annexed which is incommensurable in square with the whole straight line and which with the whole straight line makes the sum of the squares on them medial and twice the rectangle contained by them both medial and also incommensurable with the sum of the squares on them. image
elem.10.85 To find the first apotome. image
elem.10.86 To find the second apotome. image
elem.10.87 To find the third apotome. image
elem.10.88 To find the fourth apotome. image
elem.10.89 To find the fifth apotome. image
elem.10.90 To find the sixth apotome. image
elem.10.91 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and a first apotome, the “side” of the area is an apotome. image
elem.10.92 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and a second apotome, the “side” of the area is a first apotome of a medial straight line. image
elem.10.93 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and a third apotome, the “side” of the area is a second apotome of a medial straight line. image
elem.10.94 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and a fourth apotome, the “side” of the area is minor. image
elem.10.95 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and a fifth apotome, the “side” of the area is a straight line which produces with a rational area a medial whole. image
elem.10.96 If an area be contained by a rational straight line and a sixth apotome, the “side” of the area is a straight line which produces with a medial area a medial whole. image
elem.10.97 The square on an apotome applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth a first apotome. image
elem.10.98 The square on a first apotome of a medial straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth a second apotome. image
elem.10.99 The square on a second apotome of a medial straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth a third apotome. image
elem.10.100 The square on a minor straight line applied to a rational straight line produces as breadth a fourth apotome. image
elem.10.101 The square on the straight line which produces with a rational area a medial whole, if applied to a rational straight line, produces as breadth a fifth apotome. image
elem.10.102 The square on the straight line which produces with a medial area a medial whole, if applied to a rational straight line, produces as breadth a sixth apotome. image
elem.10.103 A straight line commensurable in length with an apotome is an apotome and the same in order. image
elem.10.104 A straight line commensurable with an apotome of a medial straight line is an apotome of a medial straight line and the same in order. image
elem.10.105 A straight line commensurable with a minor straight line is minor. image
elem.10.106 A straight line commensurable with that which produces with a rational area a medial whole is a straight line which produces with a rational area a medial whole. image
elem.10.107 A straight line commensurable with that which produces with a medial area a medial whole is itself also a straight line which produces with a medial area a medial whole. image
elem.10.108 If from a rational area a medial area be subtracted, the “side” of the remaining area becomes one of two irrational straight lines, either an apotome or a minor straight line. image
elem.10.109 If from a medial area a rational area be subtracted, there arise two other irrational straight lines, either a first apotome of a medial straight line or a straight line which produces with a rational area a medial whole. image
elem.10.110 If from a medial area there be subtracted a medial area incommensurable with the whole, the two remaining irrational straight lines arise, either a second apotome of a medial straight line or a straight line which produces with a medial area a medial whole. image
elem.10.111 The apotome is not the same with the binomial straight line. image
elem.10.112 The square on a rational straight line applied to the binomial straight line produces as breadth an apotome the terms of which are commensurable with the terms of the binomial and moreover in the same ratio; and further the apotome so arising will have the same order as the binomial straight line. image
elem.10.113 The square on a rational straight line, if applied to an apotome, produces as, breadth the binomial straight line the terms of which are commensurable with the terms of the apotome and in the same ratio; and further the binomial so arising has the same order as the apotome. image
elem.10.114 If an area be contained by an apotome and the binomial straight line the terms of which are commensurable with the terms of the apotome and in the same ratio, the “side” of the area is rational. image
elem.10.115 From a medial straight line there arise irrational straight lines infinite in number, and none of them is the same as any of the preceding. image

Clay Mathematics Institute Historical Archive

Published May 8, 2008. Copyright 2008, Clay Mathematics Institute

Proposition 10.3