sentences:  This algebraic solution needs only one additional step to arrive at the Platonic sequence formula_14 and that is to multiply all sides of the above triple by a factor formula_15.Notice also that if "a" = 1, the sides [OB, OA, AB] reduce to
  
  In modern notation this is just formula_17 for θ shown in the above graph, written in terms of the cotangent "t" of θ/2.In the particular example given by Diophantus, "t" has a value of 2, the arbitrary multiplier of "x".