Definition:Apotome/First Apotome

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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 first apotome if and only if:

$(1): \quad a \in \Q$
$(2): \quad \dfrac {\sqrt {a^2 - b^2}} a \in \Q$

where $\Q$ denotes the set of rational numbers.


In the words of Euclid:

Given a rational straight line and an apotome, if the square on the whole be greater than the square on the annex by the square on a straight line commensurable in length with the whole, and the whole be commensurable in length with the rational straight line set out, let the apotome be called a first apotome.

(The Elements: Book $\text{X (III)}$: Definition $1$)


Example

Let $a = 9$ and $b = \sqrt {17}$.

Then:

\(\ds \frac {\sqrt {a^2 - b^2} } a\) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {\sqrt {81 - 17} } 9\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \frac {\sqrt {64} } 9\)
\(\ds \) \(=\) \(\ds \frac 8 9\) \(\ds \in \Q\)

Therefore $9 - \sqrt {17}$ is a first apotome.


Also see


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.