[Folio 0379 | p. 373]

PROPOSITION 19.

Between two similar solid numbers there fall two mean proportional numbers; and the solid number has to the similar solid number the ratio triplicate of that which the corresponding side has to the corresponding side.

Let A, B be two similar solid numbers, and let C, D, E be the sides of A, and F, G, H of B.

Now, since similar solid numbers are those which have their sides proportional, [VII. Def. 21]

therefore, as C is to D, so is F to G, and, as D is to E, so is G to H.

I say that between A, B there fall two mean proportional numbers, and A has to B the ratio triplicate of that which C has to F, D to G, and also E to H.

For let C by multiplying D make K, and let F by multiplying G make L.

Now, since C, D are in the same ratio with F, G, and K is the product of C, D, and L the product of F, G, K, L are similar plane numbers; [VII. Def. 21]

therefore between K, L there is one mean proportional number. [VIII. 18]

Let it be M.

Therefore M is the product of D, F, as was proved in the theorem preceding this. [VIII. 18]

Now, since D by multiplying C has made K, and by multiplying F has made M,

[VII. 17]therefore, as C is to F, so is K to M.

But, as K is to M, so is M to L.

Therefore K, M, L are continuously proportional in the ratio of C to F.

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And since, as C is to D, so is F to G,

[VII. 13]alternately therefore, as C is to F, so is D to G.

For the same reason also,

as D is to G, so is E to H.

Therefore K, M, L are continuously proportional in the ratio of C to F, in the ratio of D to G, and also in the ratio of E to H.

Next, let E, H by multiplying M make N, O respectively.

Now, since A is a solid number, and C, D, E are its sides,

therefore E by multiplying the product of C, D has made A.

But the product of C, D is K;

therefore E by multiplying K has made A.

For the same reason also

H by multiplying L has made B.

Now, since E by multiplying K has made A, and further also by multiplying M has made N,

[VII. 17]therefore, as K is to M, so is A to N.

But, as K is to M, so is C to F, D to G, and also E to H;

therefore also, as C is to F, D to G, and E to H, so is A to N.

Again, since E, H by multiplying M have made N, O respectively,

[VII. 18]therefore, as E is to H, so is N to O.

But, as E is to H, so is C to F and D to G;

therefore also, as C is to F, D to G, and E to H, so is A to N and N to O.

Again, since H by multiplying M has made O, and further also by multiplying L has made B,

[VII. 17]therefore, as M is to L, so is O to B.

But, as M is to L, so is C to F, D to G, and E to H.

Therefore also, as C is to F, D to G, and E to H, so not only is O to B, but also A to N and N to O.

Therefore A, N, O, B are continuously proportional in the aforesaid ratios of the sides.

I say that A also has to B the ratio triplicate of that which the corresponding side has to the corresponding side, that is, of the ratio which the number C has to F, or D to G, and also E to H.

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For, since A, N, O, B are four numbers in continued proportion,

therefore A has to B the ratio triplicate of that which A has to N. [v. Def. 10]

But, as A is to N, so it was proved that C is to F, D to G, and also E to H.

Therefore A also has to B the ratio triplicate of that which the corresponding side has to the corresponding side, that is, of the ratio which the number C has to F, D to G, and also E to H.

Q. E. D.

Dependency Graph

Required for

VIII.25, VIII.27, IX.4, IX.5, IX.6, IX.10

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See Commentary on Proposition VIII.19.