Proposition: Prop. 10.017: Condition for Commensurability of Roots of Quadratic Equation

(Proposition 17 from Book 10 of Euclid's “Elements”)

If there are two unequal straight lines, and a (rectangle) equal to the fourth part of the (square) on the lesser, falling short by a square figure, is applied to the greater, and divides it into (parts which are) commensurable in length, then the square on the greater will be larger than (the square on) the lesser by the (square) on (some straight line) commensurable [in length] with the greater. And if the square on the greater is larger than (the square on) the lesser by the (square) on (some straight line) commensurable [in length] with the greater, and a (rectangle) equal to the fourth (part) of the (square) on the lesser, falling short by a square figure, is applied to the greater, then it divides it into (parts which are) commensurable in length.

Let $A$ and $BC$ be two unequal straight lines, of which (let) $BC$ (be) the greater.
And let a (rectangle) equal to the fourth part of the (square) on the lesser, $A$ - that is, (equal) to the (square) on half of $A$ - falling short by a square figure, have been applied to $BC$.
And let it be the (rectangle contained) by $BD$ and $DC$ [see previous lemma].
And let $BD$ be commensurable in length with $DC$.
I say that the square on $BC$ is greater than the (square on) $A$ by (the square on some straight line) commensurable (in length) with ($BC$).
And so let the square on $BC$ be greater than the (square on) $A$ by the (square) on (some straight line) commensurable (in length) with ($BC$).
And let a (rectangle) equal to the fourth (part) of the (square) on $A$, falling short by a square figure, have been applied to $BC$.
And let it be the (rectangle contained) by $BD$ and $DC$.
It must be shown that $BD$ is commensurable in length with $DC$.

fig017e

Modern Formulation

This proposition states that if \[\alpha\,x-x^2=\frac{\beta^2}4,\] (where $\alpha=BC$, $x=DC$, and $\beta=A$), then \[\alpha\quad\text{ and }\quad\sqrt{\alpha^2-\beta^2}\] are commensurable when \[\alpha-x\quad\text{ and }\quad x\] are commensurable, and vice versa.

Proofs: 1

Proofs: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11