The terms used in the statement of the problem may be {cxxxii} explained
as follows. A perfect number ([Greek: te/leios a)rithmo/s]), as already
stated, is one which is equal to the sum of its divisors. Thus 6, which is
the first perfect or cyclical number, = 1 + 2 + 3. The words [Greek:
o)/roi], 'terms' or 'notes,' and [Greek: a)posta/seis], 'intervals,' are
applicable to music as well as to number and figure. [Greek: Prô/tô|] is
the 'base' on which the whole calculation depends, or the 'lowest term'
from which it can be worked out. The words [Greek: duna/menai/ te kai\
dunasteuo/menoi] have been variously translated--'squared and cubed'
(Donaldson), 'equalling and equalled in power' (Weber), 'by involution and
evolution,' i.e. by raising the power and extracting the root (as in the
translation). Numbers are called 'like and unlike' ([Greek: o(moiou=nte/s
te kai\ a)nomoiou=ntes]) when the factors or the sides of the planes and
cubes which they represent are or are not in the same ratio: e.g. 8 and
27 = 2^3 and 3^3; and conversely. 'Waxing' ([Greek: au)/xontes]) numbers,
called also 'increasing' ([Greek: u(pertelei=s]) are those which are
exceeded by the sum of their divisors: e.g. 12 and 18 are less than 16 and
21. 'Waning' ([Greek: phthi/nontes]) numbers, called also 'decreasing'
([Greek: e)llipei=s]) are those which succeed the sum of their divisors:
e.g. 8 and 27 exceed 7 and 13. The words translated 'commensurable and
agreeable to one another' ([Greek: prosê/gora kai\ r(êta/]) seem to be
different ways of describing the same relation, with more or less
precision. They are equivalent to 'expressible in terms having the same
relation to one another,' like the series 8, 12, 18, 27, each of which
numbers is in the relation of 1 and 1/2 to the preceding. The 'base,' or
'fundamental number, which has 1/3 added to it' (1 and 1/3) = 4/3 or a
musical fourth. [Greek: A(rmoni/a] is a 'proportion' of numbers as of
musical notes, applied either to the parts or factors of a single number
or to the relation of one number to another. The first harmony is a
'square' number ([Greek: i)/sên i)sa/kis]); the second harmony is an
'oblong' number ([Greek: promê/kê]), i.e. a number representing a figure
of which the opposite sides only are equal. [Greek: A)rithmoi\ a)po\
diame/trôn] = 'numbers squared from' or 'upon diameters'; [Greek: r(êtô=n]
= 'rational,' i.e. omitting fractions, [Greek: a)r)r(ê/tôn], 'irrational,'
i.e. including fractions; e.g. 49 is a square of the rational diameter of
a figure the side of which = 5: 50, of an irrational diameter of the same.
For several of the explanations here given and for a good deal besides
I am indebted to an excellent article on the Platonic Number by Dr.
Donaldson (Proc. of the Philol. Society, vol. i. p. 81 ff.).