Proof: By Euclid
(related to Proposition: Prop. 10.043: First Bimedial Straight Line is Divisible Uniquely)
- Let $AB$ be a first bimedial (straight line) which has been divided at $C$, such that $AC$ and $CB$ are medial (straight lines), commensurable in square only, (and) containing a rational (area) [Prop. 10.37].
-
I say that $AB$ cannot be (so) divided at another point.
-
For, if possible, let it also have been divided at $D$, such that $AD$ and $DB$ are also medial (straight lines), commensurable in square only, (and) containing a rational (area).
- Since, therefore, by whatever (amount) twice the (rectangle contained) by $AD$ and $DB$ differs from twice the (rectangle contained) by $AC$ and $CB$, (the sum of) the (squares) on $AC$ and $CB$ differs from (the sum of) the (squares) on $AD$ and $DB$ by this (same amount) [Prop. 10.41 lem.] .
- And twice the (rectangle contained) by $AD$ and $DB$ differs from twice the (rectangle contained) by $AC$ and $CB$ by a rational (area).
- For (they are) both rational (areas).
- (The sum of) the (squares) on $AC$ and $CB$ thus differs from (the sum of) the (squares) on $AD$ and $DB$ by a rational (area, despite both) being medial (areas).
- The very thing is absurd [Prop. 10.26].
- Thus, a first bimedial (straight line) cannot be divided into its (component) terms at different points.
- Thus, (it can be so divided) at one point only.
- (Which is) the very thing it was required to show.
∎
Thank you to the contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0!
- Github:
-
- non-Github:
- @Fitzpatrick
References
Adapted from (subject to copyright, with kind permission)
- Fitzpatrick, Richard: Euclid's "Elements of Geometry"