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PROPOSITION 11.

If four magnitudes be proportional, and the first be commensurable with the second, the third will also be commensurable with the fourth; and, if the first be incommensurable with the second, the third will also be incommensurable with the fourth.

Let A, B, C, D be four magnitudes in proportion, so that, as A is to B, so is C to D, and let A be commensurable with B; I say that C will also be commensurable with D.

For, since A is commensurable with B, therefore A has to B the ratio which a number has to a number. [X. 5]

And, as A is to B, so is C to D; therefore C also has to D the ratio which a number has to a number; therefore C is commensurable with D. [X. 6]

Next, let A be incommensurable with B; I say that C will also be incommensurable with D.

For, since A is incommensurable with B, therefore A has not to B the ratio which a number has to a number. [X. 7]

And, as A is to B, so is C to D; therefore neither has C to D the ratio which a number has to a number; therefore C is incommensurable with D. [X. 8]

Therefore etc.

Euclid. Euclid's Elements. Sir Thomas Little Heath. New York. Dover. 1956.

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