Sum of a rational number and an irrational number will be an irrational number.

Hello Everyone. Before going to the proof, let us go into the basics of Rational and Irrational numbers.

Rational Number : A number that can be expressed as the fraction p/q of two integers p and q, where q not equal to zero.

Irrational Number : A number that cannot be expressed as the fraction p/q of two integers p and q,  where q not equal to zero.

What is required to prove : Sum of a rational number and an irrational number will be an irrational number.

Proof :

Let "m" be an irrational number. --------- (1)

Let "n" be a rational number. ------------(2)

Let us think that we don't know whether m + n is rational or irrational number.

So, let us assume m + n as a rational number initially.

Then, m + n = p/q where p and q are some integers and q is not equal to zero. (According to the definition)

So, m + n = p/q

Subtract "n" on both sides.

Then, m = (p/q) - n = difference of two rational numbers

Difference of two rational numbers will be a rational number.

Therefore, it implies "m" should have been a rational number.

But m is an irrational number [From (1)]

A number cannot be both rational and irrational at a time.

This condition is developed due to our consideration of m + n = p/q i.e. m + n as a rational number. Therefore, our consideration should be false.

It implies m + n should be irrational.

Therefore, sum of a rational number and an irrational number will be an irrational number.

Question to think : Use the above result and show that the solution of the form rational number, irrational number does not exist for the below set of equations.

 x^(1/2) + y = 7 and  y^(1/2) + x = 11

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Formula to find sum of the first n Natural numbers

Sum of the squares of the first n natural numbers - Formula derivation

Sum of cubes of the first n natural numbers - Formula derivation