Continuous and Discontinuous Proportionality
Arithmetic and geometric proportionality; series like 24,12,6,3; lines compared to surfaces
Folio 49v distinguishes continuous from discontinuous proportionality in both the arithmetic and geometric cases. Arithmetic proportionality is continuous when its differences are equal and its terms uninterrupted (1 2 3, and series such as 1 2 3 4 5 or 1 3 5 7 9), and discontinuous when equal ratios are interrupted with no common term. Geometric continuous proportionality is coupled through common terms (4:2 as 2:1, and 24 12 6 3), so its terms must be of one kind; geometric discontinuous proportionality has no common middle term (16:8 as 2:1). Leonardo closes by noting that discontinuous proportionalities may join quantities of different kinds, since a line of 2 feet to a line of 1 foot stands in the same proportion as a surface of 8 feet to one of 4. The page is plain, closely written mirror-script.
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Continuous versus discontinuous arithmetic proportionality
Continuous arithmetic proportionality has conjoined ratios with equal differences (1 2 3), continuing without interposition; examples include 1 2 3 4 5, 1 3 5 7 9, and 1 4 7 10. The discontinuous kind is an equality of like ratios that are interrupted, with no common term.
Geometric continuous proportionality by common terms
Geometric continuous proportionality is composed of equal ratios coupled through common terms, as 4 is to 2 so 2 is to 1, and 24 12 6 3. Its terms must therefore be of one and the same kind so that they may continue successively; the discontinuous kind lacks any common middle term (16:8 as 2:1).
Lines and surfaces in one proportion
Discontinuous proportionalities may join quantities of different kinds: a line of 2 feet to a line of 1 foot is in the same proportion as a surface of 8 feet to a surface of 4 feet, each being double its lesser, and so they stand together in discontinuous proportionality.
