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PROPOSITION 12.

Magnitudes commensurable with the same magnitude are commensurable with one another also.

For let each of the magnitudes A, B be commensurable with C; I say that A is also commensurable with B.

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

Let it have the ratio which D has to E.

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

Let it have the ratio which F has to G.

And, given any number of ratios we please, namely the ratio which D has to E and that which F has to G, let the numbers H, K, L be taken continuously in the given ratios; [cf. VIII. 4] so that, as D is to E, so is H to K,

and, as F is to G, so is K to L.

Since, then, as A is to C, so is D to E, while, as D is to E, so is H to K, therefore also, as A is to C, so is H to K. [V. 11]

Again, since, as C is to B, so is F to G, while, as F is to G, so is K to L, therefore also, as C is to B, so is K to L. [V. 11]

But also, as A is to C, so is H to K; therefore, ex aequali, as A is to B, so is H to L. [V. 22]

Therefore A has to B the ratio which a number has to a number; therefore A is commensurable with B. [X. 6]

Therefore etc. Q. E. D.

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

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