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PROPOSITION 6.

If a number by multiplying itself make a cube number, it will itself also be cube.

For let the number A by multiplying itself make the cube number B; I say that A is also cube.

For let A by multiplying B make C.

Since, then, A by multiplying itself has made B, and by multiplying B has made C, therefore C is cube.

And, since A by multiplying itself has made B, therefore A measures B according to the units in itself.

But the unit also measures A according to the units in it.

Therefore, as the unit is to A, so is A to B. [VII. Def. 20]

And, since A by multiplying B has made C, therefore B measures C according to the units in A.

But the unit also measures A according to the units in it.

Therefore, as the unit is to A, so is B to C. [VII. Def. 20]

But, as the unit is to A, so is A to B; therefore also, as A is to B, so is B to C.

And, since B, C are cube, they are similar solid numbers.

Therefore there are two mean proportional numbers between B, C. [VIII. 19]

And, as B is to C, so is A to B.

Therefore there are two mean proportional numbers between A, B also. [VIII. 8]

And B is cube; therefore A is also cube. [cf. VIII. 23] Q. E. D.

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

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