Comparison of Sides of Five Platonic Figures

Theorem

In the words of Euclid:

To set out the sides of the five figures and to compare them with one another.

(The Elements: Book $\text{XIII}$: Proposition $18$)

Lemma

In the words of Euclid:

But that the angle of the equilateral and equiangular pentagon is a right angle and a fifth we must prove thus.

(The Elements: Book $\text{XIII}$: Proposition $18$ : Lemma)

Proof

Let $AB$ be the diameter of the given sphere.

Let $AB$ be bisected at $C$.

Let $AB$ be cut at $D$ where $AD = 2 \cdot DB$.

Let $AEB$ be a semicircle on the diameter $AB$.

Let $CE$ be drawn from $C$ perpendicular to $AB$.

Let $DF$ be drawn from $D$ perpendicular to $AB$.

Let $AF, FB, EB$ be joined.

We have that:

$AD = 2 \cdot DB$

Therefore:

$AB = 3 \cdot DB$

and so:

$AB = \dfrac 3 2 \cdot AD$

We have that $\triangle AFB$ is equiangular with $\triangle AFD$.

So from:

Proposition $8$ of Book $\text{VI} $: Perpendicular in Right-Angled Triangle makes two Similar Triangles

and:

Book $\text{V}$ Definition $9$: Duplicate Ratio

it follows that:

$BA : AD = BA^2 : AF^2$

Therefore:

$BA^2 = \dfrac 3 2 \cdot AF^2$

But from Proposition $13$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Tetrahedron within Given Sphere:

the square on the diameter of the given sphere is $1 \frac 1 2$ times the square on the side of the regular tetrahedron inscribed within it.

But $AB$ is the diameter of the given sphere.

Therefore $AF$ is equal to the side of the regular tetrahedron inscribed within.

$\Box$

We have that:

$AD = 2 \cdot DB$

Therefore:

$AB = 3 \cdot DB$

So from:

Proposition $8$ of Book $\text{VI} $: Perpendicular in Right-Angled Triangle makes two Similar Triangles

and:

Book $\text{V}$ Definition $9$: Duplicate Ratio

it follows that:

$AB : BD = AB^2 : BF^2$

Therefore:

$AB^2 = 3 \cdot BF^2$

But from Proposition $15$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Cube within Given Sphere:

the square on the diameter of the given sphere is $3$ times the square on the side of the cube inscribed within it.

But $AB$ is the diameter of the given sphere.

Therefore $BF$ is equal to the side of the cube inscribed within.

$\Box$

We have that:

$AC = CB$

Therefore:

$AB = 2 \cdot BC$

But:

$AB : BC = AB^2 : BE^2$

But from Proposition $14$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Octahedron within Given Sphere:

the square on the diameter of the given sphere is $2$ times the square on the side of the regular octahedron inscribed within it.

But $AB$ is the diameter of the given sphere.

Therefore $BE$ is equal to the side of the regular octahedron inscribed within.

$\Box$

Let $AG$ be drawn from $A$ perpendicular to $AB$.

Let $AG = AB$.

Let $GC$ be joined.

Let $H$ be the point where $GC$ cuts the semicircle $AEB$.

Let $HK$ be drawn perpendicular to $AB$ from $H$.

We have that:

$GA = 2 \cdot AC$

We also have that:

$GA : AC = HK : KC$

Therefore:

$HK = 2 \cdot KC$

Therefore:

$HK^2 = 4 \cdot KC^2$

Therefore:

$HK^2 + KC^2 = 5 \cdot KC^2$

But by Proposition $47$ of Book $\text{I} $: Pythagoras's Theorem:

$HK^2 + KC^2 = HC^2$

We also have that:

$HC = CB$

So:

$CB^2 = 5 CK^2$

We have that:

$AB = 2 \cdot BC$

and:

$AD = 2 \cdot DB$

Therefore:

$BD = 2 \cdot DC$

Therefore:

$BC = 3 \cdot CD$

and so:

$BC^2 = 9 \cdot CD^2$

But:

$BC^2 = 5 CK^2$

Therefore:

$CK^2 > CD^2$

and so:

$CK > CD$

Let $CL = CK$.

Let $LM$ be drawn from $L$ perpendicular to $AB$.

Let $MB$ be joined.

We have that:

$BC^2 = 5 CK^2$

and:

$AB = 2 \cdot BC$

and:

$KL = 2 \cdot CK$

Therefore:

$AB^2 = 5 KL^2$

But from Porism to Proposition $16$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Icosahedron within Given Sphere:

the square on the diameter of the given sphere is $5$ times the square of the radius of the circle from which the regular icosahedron has been described.

We have that $AB$ is the diameter of the given sphere.

Therefore $KL$ is the radius of the circle from which the regular icosahedron has been described.

Therefore from Porism to Proposition $15$ of Book $\text{IV} $: Inscribing Regular Hexagon in Circle:

$KL$ is equal to the side of a regular hexagon in that circle.

From Porism to Proposition $16$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Icosahedron within Given Sphere:

the diameter of the given sphere is composed of the side of the regular hexagon and two of the sides of the regular decagon inscribed in that circle.

We have that $AB$ is the diameter of the given sphere.

Also we have that $KL$ is equal to the side of a regular hexagon in that circle.

Also:

$AK = LB$

Therefore each of $AK$ and $LB$ is the side of the regular decagon inscribed in that circle.

We have that:

$LB$ is the side of such a regular decagon

$ML$ is the side of such a regular hexagon

Then:

$HK$ and $HK$ are the same distance from $C$, the midpoint of $AB$

Also, each of $HK$ and $KL$ is twice $KC$.

So:

$ML = KL = HK$

Therefore from Proposition $10$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Square on Side of Regular Pentagon inscribed in Circle equals Squares on Sides of Hexagon and Decagon inscribed in same Circle:

$MB$ is the side of the regular pentagon inscribed in that circle.

But from Proposition $16$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Icosahedron within Given Sphere:

the side of the regular pentagon inscribed in that circle equals the side of the regular icosahedron inscribed within the given sphere.

Therefore $MB$ is equal to the side of the regular icosahedron inscribed within.

$\Box$

We have that $FB$ is equal to the side of the cube inscribed within the given sphere.

Let $FB$ be cut in extreme and mean ratio at $N$ such that the greater segment is $NB$.

From the Porism to Proposition $17$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Dodecahedron within Given Sphere:

$NB$ equals the side of the regular dodecahedron inscribed within the given sphere.

We have that the square on the diameter of the sphere is:

$1 \frac 1 2$ times the square on the side $AF$ of the regular tetrahedron

$2$ times the square on the side $BE$ of the regular octahedron

$3$ times the square on the side $FB$ of the cube

inscribed within it.

Therefore the square on:

the side $AF$ of the regular tetrahedron is $\dfrac 4 6$

the side $BE$ of the regular octahedron is $\dfrac 3 6$ :the side $FB$ of the cube is $\dfrac 2 6$

times the square on the diameter of the sphere.

Therefore:

the square on the side $AF$ of the regular tetrahedron is $\dfrac 4 3$ times the square on the side $BE$ of the regular octahedron

the square on the side $AF$ of the regular tetrahedron is $2$ times the square on the side $FB$ of the cube

the square on the side $BE$ of the regular octahedron is $\dfrac 3 2$ times the square on the side $FB$ of the cube.

That is, the sides of the regular tetrahedron, the regular octahedron and the cube are to one another in rational ratios.

From Proposition $16$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Icosahedron within Given Sphere:

the side of the regular icosahedron is a minor.

From Proposition $17$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Construction of Regular Dodecahedron within Given Sphere:

the side of the regular dodecahedron is an apotome.

Thus the remaining two, that is the sides of the regular icosahedron and the regular dodecahedron, are not in rational ratios either to one another or the sides of the first three:

From Proposition $8$ of Book $\text{VI} $: Perpendicular in Right-Angled Triangle makes two Similar Triangles:

$\triangle FDB$ is equiangular with $\triangle FAB$.

So from Proposition $4$ of Book $\text{VI} $: Equiangular Triangles are Similar:

$DB : BF = BF : BA$

Thus $DB, BF, BA$ are proportional.

So from:

Book $\text{V}$ Definition $9$: Duplicate Ratio

and:

Porism to Proposition $20$ of Book $\text{VI} $: Similar Polygons are composed of Similar Triangles

it follows that:

$DB : BA = DB^2 : BF^2$

That is:

$AB : BD = FB^2 = BD^2$

But:

$AB = 3 \cdot BD$

Therefore:

$FB^2 = 3 \cdot BD^2$

But we have that:

$AD = 2 \cdot DB$

and so:

$AD^2 = 4 \cdot DB^2$

Therefore:

$AD > FB$

and so:

$AL > FB$

From Proposition $9$ of Book $\text{XIII} $: Sides Appended of Hexagon and Decagon inscribed in same Circle are cut in Extreme and Mean Ratio:

$LK$ is the side of the regular hexagon and $KA$ the side of the regular decagon inscribed in that circle.

So:

when $AL$ is cut in extreme and mean ratio, the greater segment is $KL$

and:

when $FB$ is cut in extreme and mean ratio, the greater segment is $NB$.

Therefore:

$KL > NB$

But:

$KL = LM$

Therefore:

$LM > NB$

Therefore $MB$, which is the side of the regular icosahedron, is greater than $NB$, the side of the regular dodecahedron.

$\blacksquare$

Also see

• Five Platonic Solids

Historical Note

This proof is Proposition $18$ of Book $\text{XIII}$ of Euclid's The Elements.

Sources

• 1926: Sir Thomas L. Heath: Euclid: The Thirteen Books of The Elements: Volume 3 (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Book $\text{XIII}$. Propositions