Book 10
113
If now the square on BC is greater than the square on CD by the square on a straight line commensurable with BC, the square on KF will also be greater than the square on FH by the square on a straight line commensurable with KF. [X 14]
113
And, if BC is commensurable in length with the rational straight line set out, so also is KF; if CD is commensurable in length with the rational straight line set out, so also is FH, but, if neither of the straight lines BC, CD, then neither of the straight lines KF, FH.
113
But, if the square on BC is greater than the square on CD by the square on a straight line incommensurable with BC, the square on KF is also greater than the square on FH by the square on a straight line incommensurable with KF. [X. 14]
113
And, if BC is commensurable with the rational straight line set out, so also is KF; if CD is so commensurable, in length with the rational straight line set out, so also is FH; but, if neither of the straight lines BC, CD, then neither of the straight lines KF, FH.
113
Therefore KH is a binomial straight line, the terms of which KF, FH are commensurable with the terms BC, CD of the apotome and in the same ratio, and further KH has the same order as BD. Q. E. D.
PROPOSITION 114.
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.
114
For let an area, the rectangle AB, CD, be contained by the apotome AB and the binomial straight line CD, and let CE be the greater term of the latter; let the terms CE, ED of the binomial straight line be commensurable with the terms AF, FB of the apotome and in the same ratio; and let the side of the rectangle AB, CD be G; I say that G is rational.
114
For let a rational straight line H be set out, and to CD let there be applied a rectangle equal to the square on H and producing KL as breadth.
114
Therefore KL is an apotome.
