Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: Prop. 9.30: Odd Divisor of Even Number Also Divides Its Half)
- For since $A$ measures $B$, let it measure it according to $C$.
- I say that $C$ is not odd.
- For, if possible, let it be (odd).
- And since $A$ measures $B$ according to $C$, $A$ has thus made $B$ (by) multiplying $C$.
- Thus, $B$ is composed out of odd numbers, (and) the multitude of them is odd.
- $B$ is thus odd [Prop. 9.23].
- The very thing (is) absurd.
- For ($B$) was assumed (to be) even.
- Thus, $C$ is not odd.
- Thus, $C$ is even.
- Hence, $A$ measures $B$ an even number of times.
- So, on account of this, ($A$) will also measure (one) half of ($B$).
- (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"