Book 10
67
For, since AB is bimedial, let it be divided into its medials at E; therefore AE, EB are medial straight lines commensurable in square only. [X. 37, 38]
67
And let it be contrived that, as AB is to CD, so is AE to CF; therefore also the remainder EB is to the remainder FD as AB is to CD. [V. 19]
67
But AB is commensurable in length with CD; therefore AE, EB are also commensurable with CF, FD respectively. [X. 11]
67
But AE, EB are medial; therefore CF, FD are also medial. [X. 23]
67
And since, as AE is to EB, so is CF to FD, [V. 11] and AE, EB are commensurable in square only, CF, FD are also commensurable in square only. [X. 11]
67
But they were also proved medial; therefore CD is bimedial.
67
I say next that it is also the same in order with AB.
67
For since, as AE is to EB, so is CF to FD, therefore also, as the square on AE is to the rectangle AE, EB, so is the square on CF to the rectangle CF, FD; therefore, alternately, as the square on AE is to the square on CF, so is the rectangle AE, EB to the rectangle CF, FD. [V. 16]
67
But the square on AE is commensurable with the square on CF; therefore the rectangle AE, EB is also commensurable with the rectangle CF, FD.
67
If therefore the rectangle AE, EB is rational, the rectangle CF, FD is also rational, [and for this reason CD is a first bimedial]; [X. 37] but if medial, medial, [X. 23, Por.] and each of the straight lines AB, CD is a second bimedial. [X. 38]
67
And for this reason CD will be the same in order with AB. Q. E. D.
PROPOSITION 68.
68
A straight line commensurable with a major straight line is itself also major.
68
Let AB be major, and let CD be commensurable with AB; I say that CD is major.
68
Let AB be divided at E; therefore AE, EB are straight lines incommensurable in square which make the sum of the squares on them rational, but the rectangle contained by them medial. [X. 39]
68
Let the same construction be made as before.
68
Then since, as AB is to CD, so is AE to CF, and EB to FD, therefore also, as AE is to CF, so is EB to FD. [V. 11]
