Two quantities A and B are commensurable when there is a quantity Q such that Q is contained in A and B respectively n and m times. For example, a foot and a yard are commensurable because there is a quantity, the inch, which is contained in them respectively 12 and 36 times.

What does commensurable mean in math?

In mathematics, two non-zero real numbers a and b are said to be commensurable if their ratio ab is a rational number; otherwise a and b are called incommensurable. ... (Recall that a rational number is one that is equivalent to the ratio of two integers.)

What does commensurable mean when are two quantities commensurable and when are two quantities incommensurable?

Two like quantities are known as commensurable if their ratio is a rational number. If the ratio of two like quantities is an irrational number then they are known as incommensurable.