PROPOSITION 33.
Given as many numbers as we please, to find the least of those which have the same ratio with them. Let A, B, C be the given numbers, as many as we please; thus it is required to find the least ofthose which have the same ratio with A, B, C. A, B, C are either prime to one another or not. Now, if A, B, C are prime to one
another, they are the least of those which have the same ratio with them. [VII. 21] But, if not, let D the greatest common measure of A, B, C be taken, [VII. 3] and, as many times as D measures the numbers A, B, C
respectively, so many units let there be in the numbers E, F, G respectively. Therefore the numbers E, F, G measure the numbers A, B, C respectively according to the units in D. [VII. 16] Therefore E, F, G measure A, B, C the same number of
times; therefore E, F, G are in the same ratio with A, B, C. [VII. Def. 20] I say next that they are the least that are in that ratio. For, if E, F, G are not the least of those which have the same ratio with A, B, C,
there will be numbers less than E, F, G which are in the same ratio with A, B, C. Let them be H, K, L; therefore H measures A the same number of times that the numbers K, L measure the numbers B, C respectively.
Now, as many times as H measures A, so many units let there be in M; therefore the numbers K, L also measure the numbers B, C respectively according to the units in M. And, since H measures A according to the units in M,
therefore M also measures A according to the units in H. [VII. 16] For the same reason M also measures the numbers B, C according to the units in the numbers K, L respectively; Therefore M measures A, B, C.
Now, since H measures A according to the units in M, therefore H by multiplying M has made A. [VII. Def. 15] For the same reason also E by multiplying D has made A. Therefore the product of E, D is equal to the product of
H, M. Therefore, as E is to H, so is M to D. [VII. 19] But E is greater than H; therefore M is also greater than D. And it measures A, B, C:
which is impossible, for by hypothesis D is the greatest common measure of A, B, C. Therefore there cannot be any numbers less than E, F, G which are in the same ratio with A, B, C. Therefore E, F, G are the least of those which have the
same ratio with A, B, C. Q. E. D. 1