Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: Prop. 10.012: Commensurability is Transitive Relation)
- For since $A$ is commensurable with $C$, $A$ thus has to $C$ the ratio which (some) number (has) to (some) number [Prop. 10.5].
- Let it have (the ratio) which $D$ (has) to $E$.
- Again, since $C$ is commensurable with $B$, $C$ thus has to $B$ the ratio which (some) number (has) to (some) number [Prop. 10.5].
- Let it have (the ratio) which $F$ (has) to $G$.
- And for any multitude whatsoever of given ratios - (namely,) those which $D$ has to $E$, and $F$ to $G$ - let the numbers $H$, $K$, $L$ (which are) continuously (proportional) in the(se) given ratios have been taken [Prop. 8.4].
- Hence, as $D$ is to $E$, so $H$ (is) to $K$, and as $F$ (is) to $G$, so $K$ (is) to $L$.
- Therefore, since as $A$ is to $C$, so $D$ (is) to $E$, but as $D$ (is) to $E$, so $H$ (is) to $K$, thus also as $A$ is to $C$, so $H$ (is) to $K$ [Prop. 5.11].
- Again, since as $C$ is to $B$, so $F$ (is) to $G$, but as $F$ (is) to $G$, [so] $K$ (is) to $L$, thus also as $C$ (is) to $B$, so $K$ (is) to $L$ [Prop. 5.11].
- And also as $A$ is to $C$, so $H$ (is) to $K$.
- Thus, via equality, as $A$ is to $B$, so $H$ (is) to $L$ [Prop. 5.22].
- Thus, $A$ has to $B$ the ratio which the number $H$ (has) to the number $L$.
- Thus, $A$ is commensurable with $B$ [Prop. 10.6].
- Thus, (magnitudes) commensurable with the same magnitude are also commensurable with one another.
- (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"