prove that √3+2√5 is an irrational number
Answers
Step-by-step explanation:
Let us assume 3√2 + √5 = a rational number = p / q where p and q are integers and q is not 0. Let us assume that p / q is in reduced form and have no common factors and are prime to each other.
(3 √2 + √5 )² = p² / q²
18 + 5 + 6 √10 = p² / q²
√10 = (p²-23 q²) / 6 q² = m/n where m and n are integers and n≠ 0
10 = m² / n² or, m * m = 2 * 5 * n * n
Since m and n are prime to each other, m must have a factor of 2 and a factor of 5 also. Let m = 2 * 5* k.
2 * 5 * k * 2 * 5 * k = 2 * 5 * n * n
2 * 5 * k * k = n * n
Hence n must have as a factor 2 and 5 also. So, n = 2 * 5 * h. We started with p/q where they are co-prime and derived that they have common factors 2 and 5. Our assumption that the given number is a rational number , must be wrong.
Hence, 3 √2 + √5 is irrational.
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we know that (a +b)(a - b) = a² - b²
(3√2 + √5) (3√2 - √5) = (3√2)² - (√5)² = 9*2 - 5 = 13
So the product of the two irrational numbers is rational and in fact, is a positive integer.