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
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