Proposition 10.46

The side of a rational plus a medial area is divided at one point only.

The side of a rational plus a medial area is divded at one point only.

Let AB be the side of a rational plus a medial area divded at C, so that AC, CB are incommensurable in square and make the sum of the squares on AC, CB medial, but twice the rectangle AC, CB rational; [X. 40 ] I say that AB is not so divded at another point.

For, if possible, let it be divded at D also, so that AD, DB are also incommensurable in square and make the sum of the squares on AD, DB medial, but twice the rectangle AD, DB rational.

Since then that by which twice the rectangle AC, CB differs from twice the rectangle AD, DB is also that by which the squares on AD, DB differ from the squares on AC, CB, while twice the rectangle AC, CB exceeds twice the rectangle AD, DB by a rational area, therefore the squares on AD, DB also exceed the squares on AC, CB by a rational area, though they are medial: which is impossible. [X. 26 ]

Therefore the side of a rational plus a medial area is not divded at different points; therefore it is divded at one point only. Q. E. D.

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