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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from prateet, a student: prove that root2 is an irrational number. |
I'll start you with a hint. Because "irrational" is a negative concept, a proof by contradiction is a good bet.
Suppose root(2) was rational. What does that mean: That it would be p/q.
We can assume "for free" that it's in lowest terms, so we do.
What else can you deduce from this based on the asumption that this is root(2)?
Now look for a contradiction. Hint: are p and q odd or even?
Good Hunting!
RD
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