23. The Diagony is irrationall unto the side of the dodecahedrum.
This is the fifth example of irrationality and incommensurability. The first was of the diagony and side of a quadrate or square. The second was of a line proportionally cut and his segments: The third is of the diameter of a Circle and the side of an inscribed quinquangle. The fourth was of the diagony and side of an icosahedrum. The fifth now is of the diagony and side of a dodecahedrum.
24 If the side of a cube be cut proportionally, the greater segment shall be the side of a dodecahedrum.
For that hath beene told you even now.
But from hence also doth arise the geodesy or māner of measuring of a dodecahedrum. For if the quadrate of the line subtending the angle of a quinquangle be trebled, the half of the treble shall be the side of the semidiagony of the dodecahedrum: Because by the [6 e xxiiij], the diagony of the cube, that is of the dodecahedrum is of treble power to the side of the cube. But if the quadrate of the side of the decangle be taken out of the quadrate of the side of the quinquangle; The side of the remainder shall be the ray of the circle circumscribed about a quinquangle. Lastly if the quadrate of the ray, be taken of the quadrate of the half-diagony; the side of the remainder shall be the heighth of perpendicular. As if the side of the decangle be 7.3/5: The quadrate of that shall be 57.19/25: the treble of which is 173.7/25 whose side is about 13.107/131 for the side of the Dodecahedrum, therefore 6.119/131 the halfe shall be the semidiagony of the dodecahedrum. The ray of the
Circle shall now thus be found. If the quadrate of the side of the decangle be taken out of the quadrate of the side of the sexangle; the side of the remainder, shall be the Ray of the Circle, by the [15] and [9 e xviij]. As here the side of the Quinquangle is 4.2/3. The side of the Decangle 2.2/5: And the quadrates therefore are 21.7/9, and 5.19/25. This subducted from that leaveth 16.4/225 whose side is 4.2/15 for the Ray of the Circle.
The semidiagony and ray of the circle thus found, the altitude remaineth. Take out therefore the quadrate of the ray of the circle, 16.4/225 out of the quadrate of the semidiagony 47.12458/17161, the side of the remainder 31.2714406/3861225 is for the altitude or heighth: whose 1/3 is 5/3. The quinquangled base is almost 38. Which multiplied by 5/3 doth make 63.1/3 for the solidity of one Pyramis; which multiplied by 12, doth make 760. for the soliditie of the whole dodecaedrum.
25 There are but five ordinate solid plaines.
This appeareth plainely out of the nature of a solid angle, by the kindes of plaine figures. Of two plaine angles a solid angle cannot be comprehended. Of three angles of an ordinate triangle is the angle of a Tetrahedrum comprehended: Of foure, an Octahedrum: Of five, an Icosahedrum: Of sixe none can be comprehended: For sixe such like plaine angles, are equall to 12 thirds of one right angle, that is to foure right angles. But plaine angles making a solid angle, are lesser than foure right angles, by the [8 e xxij]. Of seven therefore, and of more it is, much lesse possible. Of three quadrate angles the angle of a cube is comprehended: Of 4. such angles none may be comprehended for the same cause. Of three angles of an ordinate quinquangle, is made the angle of a Dodecahedrum. Of 4. none may possibly be made; For every such angle: For every one of them severally doe countervaile one right angle and 1/5 of the same, Therefore they would be foure, and three fifths. Of more therefore much lesse may it be possible.