Definition:Apotome/Third Apotome
Definition
Let $a, b \in \set {x \in \R_{>0} : x^2 \in \Q}$ be two rationally expressible numbers such that $a - b$ is an apotome.
Then $a - b$ is a third apotome if and only if:
- $(1): \quad a \notin \Q$
- $(2): \quad b \notin \Q$
- $(3): \quad \dfrac {\sqrt {a^2 - b^2}} a \in \Q$
where $\Q$ denotes the set of rational numbers.
In the words of Euclid:
- But if neither be commensurable in length with the rational straight line set out, and the square on the whole be greater than the square on the annex by the square on a straight line commensurable with the whole, let the apotome be called a third apotome.
(The Elements: Book $\text{X (III)}$: Definition $3$)
Example
Let $a = \sqrt {11}$ and $b = \sqrt {\frac {143} {49} }$.
Then:
| \(\ds \frac {\sqrt {a^2 - b^2} } a\) | \(=\) | \(\ds \frac {\sqrt {11 - \frac {143} {49} } } {\sqrt {11} }\) | ||||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \frac {\sqrt {\frac {396} {49} } } {\sqrt {11} }\) | ||||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \sqrt {\frac {36} {49} }\) | ||||||||||||
| \(\ds \) | \(=\) | \(\ds \frac 6 7\) | \(\ds \in \Q\) |
Therefore $\sqrt {11} - \sqrt {\dfrac {143} {49}}$ is a third apotome.
Also see
- Definition:First Apotome
- Definition:Second Apotome
- Definition:Fourth Apotome
- Definition:Fifth Apotome
- Definition:Sixth Apotome
Linguistic Note
The term apotome is archaic, and is rarely used nowadays.
It is pronounced a-POT-o-mee, just as "epitome" is pronounced e-PIT-o-mee.
It is transliterated directly from the Ancient Greek word ἀποτομή, which is the noun form of ἀποτέμνω, from ἀπο- (away) and τέμνω (to cut), meaning roughly to cut away.
Therefore, ἀποτομή means roughly (the portion) cut off.