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Proposition 6

If a rational straight line is cut in extreme and mean ratio, then each of the segments is the irrational straight line called apotome.
Let AB be a rational straight line cut in extreme and mean ratio at C, and let AC be the greater segment.
I say that each of the straight lines AC and CB is the irrational straight line called apotome. |
Produce BA, and make AD half of BA.
Since, then, the straight line AB is cut in extreme and mean ratio, and to the greater segment AC is added AD which is half of AB, therefore the square on CD is five times the square on DA. | XIII.1
Therefore the square on CD has to the square on DA the ratio which a number has to a number, therefore the square on CD is commensurable with the square on DA | X.6
But the square on DA is rational, for DA is rational being half of AB which is rational, therefore the square on CD is also rational. Therefore CD is also rational. | X.Def.4
And, since the square on CD has not to the square on DA the ratio which a square number has to a square number, therefore CD is incommensurable in length with DA. Therefore CD and DA are rational straight lines commensurable in square only. Therefore AC is an apotome. | X.9 X.73
Again, since AB is cut in extreme and mean ratio, and AC is the greater segment, therefore the rectangle AB by BC equals the square on AC. | VI.Def.3 VI.17
Therefore the square on the apotome AC, if applied to the rational straight line AB, produces BC as breadth. But the square on an apotome, if applied to a rational straight line, produces as breadth a first apotome, therefore CB is a first apotome. And CA was also proved to be an apotome. | X.97
Therefore, if a rational straight line is cut in extreme and mean ratio, then each of the segments is the irrational straight line called apotome.
Q.E.D.

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Heath argues that this proposition was interpolated.

#### Use of this proposition

This proposition is used after the construction of a dodecahedron in XIII.17 to show that the side of a pentagonal face is the irrational straight line called apotome.

Book XIII Introduction - Proposition XIII.5 - Proposition XIII.7.

© 1996
D.E.Joyce
Clark University