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Proposition 4

Given as many ratios as we please in least numbers, to find numbers in continued proportion which are the least in the given ratios.
Let the given ratios in least numbers be that of A to B, that of C to D, and that of E to F. It is required to find numbers in continued proportion which are the least that are in the ratio of A to B, in the ratio of C to D, and in the ratio of E to F.
Take G, the least number measured by B and C. | VII.34
Let A measure H as many times as B measures G, and let D measure K as many times as C measures G. Now E either measures or does not measure K. First, let it measure it. Let K measure L as many times as E measures K.
Now, since A measures H the same number of times that B measures G, therefore A is to B as H is to G. | VII.Def.20 VII.13
For the same reason C is to D as G is to K, and E is to F as K is to L. Therefore H, G, K, and L are continuously proportional in the ratio of A to B, in the ratio of C to D, and in the ratio of E to F. I say next that they are also the least that have this property. If H, G, K, and L are not the least numbers continuously proportional in the ratios of A to B, of C to D, and of E to F, let them be N, O, M, and P.
Then since A is to B as N is to O, while A and B are least, and the least numbers measure those which have the same ratio the same number of times, the greater the greater and the less the less, that is, the antecedent the antecedent and the consequent the consequent, therefore B measures O. | VII.20
For the same reason C also measures O. Therefore B and C measure O. Therefore the least number measured by B and C also measures O. | VII.35
But G is the least number measured by B and C, therefore G measures O, the greater the less, which is impossible. Therefore there are no numbers less than H, G, K, and L which are continuously in the ratio of A to B, of C to D, and of E to F. Next, let E not measure K. Take M, the least number measured by E and K. Let H and G measure N and O as many times as K measures M, respectively, and let F measure P as many times as E measures M.
Since H measures N the same number of times that G measures O, therefore H is to G as N is to O. But H is to G as A is to B, therefore A is to B as is N is to O. For the same reason C is to D as is O is to M. | VII.13 VII.Def.20
Again, since E measures M the same number of times that F measures P, therefore E is to F as M is to P. Therefore N, O, M, and P are continuously proportional in the ratios of A to B, of C to D, and of E to F. | VII.13 VII.Def.20
I say next that they are also the least that are in the ratios A, B, C, D, E, and F. If not, there are numbers less than N, O, M, and P continuously proportional in the ratios A, B, C, D, E, and F. Let them be Q, R, S, and T.
Now since Q is to R as A is to B, while A and B are least, and the least numbers measure those which have the same ratio with them the same number of times, the antecedent the antecedent and the consequent the consequent, therefore B measures R. For the same reason C also measures R, therefore B and C measure R. | VII.20
Therefore the least number measured by B and C also measures R. But G is the least number measured by B and C, therefore G measures R. | VII.35
And G is to R as K is to S, therefore K also measures S. | VII.13
But E also measures S. Therefore E and K measure S.
Therefore the least number measured by E and K also measures S. But M is the least number measured by E and K, therefore M measures S, the greater the less, which is impossible. | VII.35
Therefore there are no numbers less than N, O, M, and P continuously proportional in the ratios of A to B, of C to D, and of E to F. Therefore N, O, M, and P are the least numbers continuously proportional in the ratios A, B, C, D, E, and F.
Q.E.D.

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This proposition is used in the next one and in proposition X.12.

Book VIII Introduction - Proposition VIII.3 - Proposition VIII.5.

© 1996
D.E.Joyce
Clark University