Let AB be the given finite straight line.
It is required to cut AB in extreme and mean ratio.
Describe the square BC on AB. Apply the parallelogram CD to AC equal to the sum of BC and the figure AD similar to BC.
Now BC is a square, therefore AD is also a square.
And, since BC equals CD, subtract CE from each, therefore the remainder BF equals the remainder AD.
But FE equals AB, and ED equals AE.
Therefore AB is to AE as AE is to EB.
And AB is greater than AE, therefore AE is also greater than EB.
Therefore the straight line AB has been cut in extreme and mean ratio at E, and the greater segment of it is AE.