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Proposition 11

If four magnitudes are proportional, and the first is commensurable with the second, then the third also is commensurable with the fourth; but, if the first is incommensurable with the second, then the third also is incommensurable with the fourth.
Let A, B, C, and D be four magnitudes in proportion, so that A is to B as C is to D, and let A be commensurable with B. I say that C is also commensurable with D.
| Since A is commensurable with B, therefore A has to B the ratio which a number has to a number. | X.5
And A is to B as C is to D, therefore C also has to D the ratio which a number has to a number. Therefore C is commensurable with D. | V.11 X.6
Next, let A be incommensurable with B. I say that C is also incommensurable with D.
Since A is incommensurable with B, therefore A does not have to B the ratio which a number has to a number. | X.7
And A is to B as C is to D, therefore neither has C to D the ratio which a number has to a number. Therefore C is incommensurable with D. | V.11 X.8
Therefore, if four magnitudes are proportional, and the first is commensurable with the second, then the third also is commensurable with the fourth; but, if the first is incommensurable with the second, then the third also is incommensurable with the fourth.
Q.E.D.

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The proof if very direct. If A:B = C:D, and the first ratio equals a numeric ratio, then the second equals that, too, but if the first is not a numeric ratio, then neither is the second.

This proposition is used in repeatedly in Book X starting with X.14. It is also used in the previous proposition which was, no doubt, not in the original Elements.

Book X Introduction - Proposition X.10 - Proposition X.12.

© 1996
D.E.Joyce
Clark University