Magnitudes with Same Ratios are Equal
Theorem
In the words of Euclid:
- Magnitudes which have the same ratio to the same are equal to one another; and magnitudes to which the same has the same ratio are equal.
(The Elements: Book $\text{V}$: Proposition $9$)
That is:
- $a : c = b : c \implies a = b$
- $c : a = c : b \implies a = b$
Proof
Let each of $A$ and $B$ have the same ratio to $C$, i.e. $A : C = B : C$.
Suppose $A \ne B$.
Then from Relative Sizes of Ratios on Unequal Magnitudes $A : C \ne B : C$.
But $A : C = B : C$ so therefore it is not the case that $A \ne B$.
Therefore $A = B$.
Again, let $C$ have the same ratio to each of $A$ and $B$, i.e. $C : A = C : B$.
Suppose $A \ne B$.
Then from Relative Sizes of Ratios on Unequal Magnitudes $C : A \ne C : B$.
But $C : A = C : B$ so therefore it is not the case that $A \ne B$.
Therefore $A = B$.
$\blacksquare$
Historical Note
This proof is Proposition $9$ of Book $\text{V}$ of Euclid's The Elements.
It is the converse of Proposition $7$ of Book $\text{V} $: Ratios of Equal Magnitudes.
Sources
- 1926: Sir Thomas L. Heath: Euclid: The Thirteen Books of The Elements: Volume 2 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Book $\text{V}$. Propositions