prove the root 3 is irrational
Answers
Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Let us assume that √3 is a rational number.
then, as we know a rational number should be in the form of p/q
where p and q are co- prime number.
So,
√3 = p/q { where p and q are co- prime}
√3q = p
Now, by squaring both the side
we get,
(√3q)² = p²
3q² = p² ........ ( i )
So,
if 3 is the factor of p²
then, 3 is also a factor of p ..... ( ii )
=> Let p = 3m { where m is any integer }
squaring both sides
p² = (3m)²
p² = 9m²
putting the value of p² in equation ( i )
3q² = p²
3q² = 9m²
q² = 3m²
So,
if 3 is factor of q²
then, 3 is also factor of q
Since
3 is factor of p & q both
So, our assumption that p & q are co- prime is wrong
hence,. √3 is an irrational number
Let us assume that √3 is a rational number.
That is, we can find integers a and b (≠ 0) such that √3 = (a/b)
Suppose a and b have a common factor other than 1, then we can divide by the common factor, and assume that a and b are co prime.
√3b = a
⇒ 3b2=a2 (Squaring on both sides) → (1)
Therefore, a2 is divisible by 3
Hence ‘a’ is also divisible by 3.
So, we can write a = 3c for some integer c.
Equation (1) becomes,
3b2 =(3c)2
⇒ 3b2 = 9c2
∴ b2 = 3c2
This means that b2 is divisible by 3, and so b is also divisible by 3.
Therefore, a and b have at least 3 as a common factor.
But this contradicts the fact that a and b are coprime.
This contradiction has arisen because of our incorrect assumption that √3 is rational.
So, we conclude that √3 is irrational.