# Definition:Binomial (Euclidean)/First Binomial

## Definition

Let $a$ and $b$ be two (strictly) positive real numbers such that $a + b$ is a binomial.

Then $a + b$ is a first binomial if and only if:

$(1): \quad a \in \Q$
$(2): \quad \dfrac {\sqrt {a^2 - b^2} } a \in \Q$

where $\Q$ denotes the set of rational numbers.

In the words of Euclid:

Given a rational straight line and a binomial, divided into its terms, such that the square on the greater term is greater than the square on the lesser by the square on a straight line commensurable in length with the greater, then, if the greater term be commensurable in length with the rational straight line set out, let the whole be called a first binomial straight line;

## Example

Let $a = 9$ and $b = \sqrt {17}$.

Then:

 $\ds \frac {\sqrt {a^2 - b^2} } a$ $=$ $\ds \frac {\sqrt {81 - 17} } 9$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \frac {\sqrt {64} } 9$ $\ds$ $=$ $\ds \frac 8 9$ $\ds \in \Q$

Therefore $9 + \sqrt {17}$ is a first binomial.

## Linguistic Note

The term binomial arises from a word meaning two numbers.

This sense of the term is rarely used (if at all) outside of Euclid's The Elements nowadays.