Let ABCD, CBEF, two planes of the aforesaid cube at right angles
to one another, be set out, let the sides AB, BC, CD, DA, EF, EB,
FC be bisected at G, H, K, L, M, N, O respectively, let GK, HL,
MH, NO be joined, let the straight lines NP, PO, HQ be cut in extreme
and mean ratio at the points R, S, T respectively, and let RP, PS,
TQ be their greater segments; from the points R, S, T let RU, SV,
TW be set up at right angles to the planes of the cube towards the
outside of the cube, let them be made equal to RP, PS, TQ, and let
UB, BW, WC, CV, VU be joined.
I say that the pentagon UBWCV is equilateral, and in one plane,
and is further equiangular.
For let RB, SB, VB be joined. [p. 494]
Then, since the straight line NP has been cut in extreme and mean
ratio at R, and RP is the greater segment, therefore the squares
on PN, NR are triple of the square on RP. [XIII. 4]
But PN is equal to NB, and PR to RU; therefore the squares on BN,
NR are triple of the square on RU.
But the square on BR is equal to the squares on BN, NR; [I. 47]
therefore the square on BR is triple of the square on RU; hence
the squares on BR, RU are quadruple of the square on RU.
But the square on BU is equal to the squares on BR, RU; therefore
the square on BU is quadruple of the square on RU; therefore BU
is double of RU.
But VU is also double of UR, inasmuch as SR is also double of PR,
that is, of RU; therefore BU is equal to UV.
Similarly it can be proved that each of the straight lines BW, WC,
CV is also equal to each of the straight lines BU, UV.
Therefore the pentagon BUVCW is equilateral.
I say next that it is also in one plane.
For let PX be drawn from P parallel to each of the straight lines
RU, SV and towards the outside of the cube, and let XH, HW be joined;
I say that XHW is a straight line.
For, since HQ has been cut in extreme and mean ratio at T, and QT
is its greater segment, therefore, as HQ is to QT, so is QT to TH.
But HQ is equal to HP, and QT to each of the straight lines TW,
PX; therefore, as HP is to PX, so is WT to TH.
And HP is parallel to TW, for each of them is at right angles to
the plane BD; [XI. 6] and TH is parallel to PX, for each of them
is at right angles to the plane BF. [id.] [p. 495]
But if two triangles, as XPH, HTW, which have two sides proportional
to two sides be placed together at one angle so that their corresponding
sides are also parallel, the remaining straight lines will be in
a straight line; [VI. 32] therefore XH is in a straight line with
HW.
But every straight line is in one plane; [XI. 1] therefore the pentagon
UBWCV is in one plane.
I say next that it is also equiangular.
For, since the straight line NP has been cut in extreme and mean
ratio at R, and PR is the greater segment, while PR is equal to
PS, therefore NS has also been cut in extreme and mean ratio at
P, and NP is the greater segment; [XIII. 5] therefore the squares
on NS, SP are triple of the square on NP. [XIII. 4]
But NP is equal to NB, and PS to SV; therefore the squares on NS,
SV are triple of the square on NB; hence the squares on VS, SN,
NB are quadruple of the square on NB.
But the square on SB is equal to the squares on SN, NB; therefore
the squares on BS, SV, that is, the square on BV --for the angle
VSB is right--is quadruple of the square on NB; therefore VB is
double of BN.
But BC is also double of BN; therefore BV is equal to BC.
And, since the two sides BU, UV are equal to the two sides BW, WC,
and the base BV is equal to the base BC, therefore the angle BUV
is equal to the angle BWC. [I. 8]
Similarly we can prove that the angle UVC is also equal to the angle
BWC; therefore the three angles BWC, BUV, UVC are equal to one another.
[p. 496]
But if in an equilateral pentagon three angles are equal to one
another, the pentagon will be equiangular, [XIII. 7] therefore the
pentagon BUVCW is equiangular.
And it was also proved equilateral; therefore the pentagon BUVCW
is equilateral and equiangular, and it is on one side BC of the
cube.
Therefore, if we make the same construction in the case of each
of the twelve sides of the cube, a solid figure will have been constructed
which is contained by twelve equilateral and equiangular pentagons,
and which is called a dodecahedron.
It is then required to comprehend it in the given sphere, and to
prove that the side of the dodecahedron is the irrational straight
line called apotome.
For let XP be produced, and let the produced straight line be XZ;
therefore PZ meets the diameter of the cube, and they bisect one
another, for this has been proved in the last theorem but one of
the eleventh book. [XI. 38]
Let them cut at Z; therefore Z is the centre of the sphere which
comprehends the cube, and ZP is half of the side of the cube.
Let UZ be joined.
Now, since the straight line NS has been cut in extreme and mean
ratio at P, and NP is its greater segment, therefore the squares
on NS, SP are triple of the square on NP. [XIII. 4]
But NS is equal to XZ, inasmuch as NP is also equal to PZ, and XP
to PS.
But further PS is also equal to XU, since it is also equal to RP;
therefore the squares on ZX, XU are triple of the square on NP.
But the square on UZ is equal to the squares on ZX, XU; therefore
the square on UZ is triple of the square on NP. [p. 497]
But the square on the radius of the sphere which comprehends the
cube is also triple of the square on the half of the side of the
cube, for it has previously been shown how to construct a cube and
comprehend it in a sphere, and to prove that the square on the diameter
of the sphere is triple of the square on the side of the cube. [XIII.
15]
But, if whole is so related to whole, so is half to half also; and
NP is half of the side of the cube; therefore UZ is equal to the
radius of the sphere which comprehends the cube.
And Z is the centre of the sphere which comprehends the cube; therefore
the point U is on the surface of the sphere.
Similarly we can prove that each of the remaining angles of the
dodecahedron is also on the surface of the sphere; therefore the
dodecahedron has been comprehended in the given sphere.
I say next that the side of the dodecahedron is the irrational straight
line called apotome.
For since, when NP has been cut in extreme and mean ratio, RP is
the greater segment, and, when PO has been cut in extreme and mean
ratio, PS is the greater segment, therefore, when the whole NO is
cut in extreme and mean ratio, RS is the greater segment.
[Thus, since, as NP is to PR, so is PR to RN, the same is true of
the doubles also, for parts have the same ratio as their equimultiples;
[V. 15] therefore as NO is to RS, so is RS to the sum of NR, SO.
But NO is greater than RS; therefore RS is also greater than the
sum of NR, SO; therefore NO has been cut in extreme and mean ratio,
and RS is its greater segment.]
But RS is equal to UV; therefore, when NO is cut in extreme and
mean ratio, UV is the greater segment. [p. 498]
And, since the diameter of the sphere is rational, and the square
on it is triple of the square on the side of the cube, therefore
NO, being a side of the cube, is rational.
[But if a rational line be cut in extreme and mean ratio, each of
the segments is an irrational apotome.]
Therefore UV, being a side of the dodecahedron, is an irrational
apotome. [XIII. 6]
PORISM.
From this it is manifest that, when the side of the cube is cut
in extreme and mean ratio, the greater segment is the side of the
dodecahedron.
Q. E. D.
