A Byzantine interpretation of Diophantus (Q1386710)

The diophantine equation \(x^2+ y^2= a^2\) can be written as a proportion \((a+ y): x=x: (a-y)\). With rational values of the variables, this has the form \(m:1\) with \(m\) rational and leads to the substitution \(y=mx-a\) and to linear equations to be solved for \(x\) and \(y\). The motivation behind Diophantus' choice of substitution was suggested by Maximus Planudes (ca. 1255--1305) for problem II.8 \((x^2+ y^2=a^2)\), and the author argues for a similar approach for every other case of two-variable equations handled by Diophantus. The second of the two solutions given by Diophantus for II.8 is not, as other commentators have argued, the same as the first, but rather based on the proportional idea.