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PROPOSITION 39.

To find the number which is the least that will have given parts.

Let A, B, C be the given parts; thus it is required to find the number which is the least that will have the parts A, B, C.

Let D, E, F be numbers called by the same name as the parts A, B, C, and let G, the least number measured by D, E, F, be taken. [VII. 36]

Therefore G has parts called by the same name as D, E, F. [VII. 37]

But A, B, C are parts called by the same name as D, E, F; therefore G has the parts A, B, C.

I say next that it is also the least number that has.

For, if not, there will be some number less than G which will have the parts A, B, C.

Let it be H.

Since H has the parts A, B, C, therefore H will be measured by numbers called by the same name as the parts A, B, C. [VII. 38]

But D, E, F are numbers called by the same name as the parts A, B, C; therefore H is measured by D, E, F.

And it is less than G : which is impossible.

Therefore there will be no number less than G that will have the parts A, B, C. Q. E. D.

Euclid. Euclid's Elements. Sir Thomas Little Heath. New York. Dover. 1956.

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