Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: Prop. 8.14: Number divides Number iff Square divides Square)
- Let $A$ and $B$ be square numbers, and let $C$ and $D$ be their sides (respectively).
- And let $A$ measure $B$.
- I say that $C$ also measures $D$.
- For let $C$ make $E$ (by) multiplying $D$.
- Thus, $A$, $E$, $B$ are in continued proportion in the ratio of $C$ to $D$ [Prop. 8.11].
- And since $A$, $E$, $B$ are in continued proportion, and $A$ measures $B$, $A$ thus also measures $E$ [Prop. 8.7].
- And as $A$ is to $E$, so $C$ (is) to $D$.
- Thus, $C$ also measures $D$ [Def. 7.20] .
- So, again, let $C$ measure $D$.
- I say that $A$ also measures $B$.
- For similarly, with the same construction, we can show that $A$, $E$, $B$ are in continued proportion in the ratio of $C$ to $D$.
- And since as $C$ is to $D$, so $A$ (is) to $E$, and $C$ measures $D$, $A$ thus also measures $E$ [Def. 7.20] .
- And $A$, $E$, $B$ are in continued proportion.
- Thus, $A$ also measures $B$.
- Thus, if a square (number) measures a(nother) square (number) then the side (of the former) will also measure the side (of the latter).
- And if the side (of a square number) measures the side (of another square number) then the (former) square (number) will also measure the (latter) square (number) .
- (Which is) the very thing it was required to show.
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References
Adapted from (subject to copyright, with kind permission)
- Fitzpatrick, Richard: Euclid's "Elements of Geometry"