E. Cobham Brewer 18101897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Diophantine Analysis.
Finding commensurate values of squares, cubes, triangles, etc.; or the sum of a given number of squares which is itself a square; or a certain number of squares, etc., which are in arithmetical progression. The following examples will give some idea of the theory:
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1. To find two whole numbers, the sum of whose squares is a square;
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2. To find three square numbers which are in arithmetical progression;
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3. To find a number from which two given squares being severally subtracted, each of the remainders is a square.
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Diophantus was an Alexandrian Greek (5th cent. A.D.)