To apply a parallelogram, equal to a given rectilinear figure, to a given straight line, (the applied parallelogram) falling short by a parallelogrammic figure similar to a given (parallelogram). It is necessary for the given rectilinear figure [to which it is required to apply an equal (parallelogram)] not to be greater than the (parallelogram) described on half (of the straight line) and similar to the deficit. * Let $AB$ be the given straight line, and $C$ the given rectilinear figure to which the (parallelogram) applied to $AB$ is required (to be) equal, [being] not greater than the (parallelogram) described on half of $AB$ and similar to the deficit, and $D$ the (parallelogram) to which the deficit is required (to be) similar. * So it is required to apply a parallelogram, equal to the given rectilinear figure $C$, to the straight line $AB$, falling short by a parallelogrammic figure which is similar to $D$.
This proposition is a geometric solution of the quadratic equation1 \[x^2 - \alpha\,x +\beta = 0.\]
Proofs: 1
Here, $x$ is the ratio of a side of the deficit to the corresponding side of figure $D$, $\alpha$ is the ratio of the length of $AB$ to the length of that side of figure $D$ which corresponds to the side of the deficit running along $AB$, and $\beta$ is the ratio of the areas of figures $C$ and $D$. The constraint corresponds to the condition $\beta < \alpha^2/4$ for the equation to have real roots. Only the smaller root of the equation is found. The larger root can be found by a similar method (translator's note). ↩
