The World of Numbers | EOT

Question 2

Prove that 5\sqrt{5} is an irrational number.

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Solution
Understand the Question
  • We prove that 5\sqrt{5} is irrational using the method of contradiction.
  • We start by assuming the opposite: that 5\sqrt{5} is a rational number, meaning it can be written as ab\dfrac{a}{b}, where aa and bb are co-prime integers (having no common factor other than 11) and b0b \neq 0.
  • If we can show that both aa and bb share a common factor of 55, it contradicts our assumption of co-primality, proving that 5\sqrt{5} must be irrational.

Step 1 · Assume 5\sqrt{5} is Rational

Let us assume, to the contrary, that 5\sqrt{5} is rational.

Therefore, there exist co-prime integers aa and bb (where b0b \neq 0) such that: 5=ab\sqrt{5} = \dfrac{a}{b}

Rearranging the terms: a=b5a = b\sqrt{5}

Step 2 · Square Both Sides and Show 55 Divides aa

Squaring both sides:

a2=5b2(1)a^2 = 5b^2 \quad \dots (1)

This shows that 55 divides a2a^2.

By theorem, if a prime number pp divides a2a^2, then pp divides aa.     5 divides a\implies 5 \text{ divides } a

Step 3 · Substitute a=5ca = 5c and Show 55 Divides bb

Since 55 divides aa, we can write a=5ca = 5c for some integer cc.

Substituting a=5ca = 5c into equation (1)(1):

(5c)2=5b225c2=5b2b2=5c2\begin{aligned} (5c)^2 &= 5b^2 \\[0.6em] 25c^2 &= 5b^2 \\[0.6em] b^2 &= 5c^2 \end{aligned}

This shows that 55 divides b2b^2.     5 divides b\implies 5 \text{ divides } b

Step 4 · Reach Contradiction

From Steps 2 and 3, 55 is a common factor of both aa and bb.

This contradicts the fact that aa and bb are co-prime (having no common factor other than 11).

This contradiction arises because of our incorrect assumption that 5\sqrt{5} is rational.

Therefore, 5\sqrt{5} is irrational.

Answer

Hence, 5\sqrt{5} is an irrational number.

Common Mistakes
  • Forgetting the Co-prime Assumption: Failing to state that aa and bb are co-prime (gcd(a,b)=1)(\gcd(a, b) = 1) leaves the contradiction without mathematical justification.
  • Skipping the Divisibility Theorem: Stating that 5a5 \mid a from 5a25 \mid a^2 without referencing that 55 is prime (since the property holds specifically for prime numbers).
  • Algebraic Error in Squaring: Forgetting to square 55 when expanding (5c)2(5c)^2, incorrectly writing 5c2=5b25c^2 = 5b^2 instead of 25c2=5b225c^2 = 5b^2.

More questions in EOT

Q1

Convert the following rational numbers in the form of a terminating decimal or non-terminating and repeating decimal, whichever the case may be, by the process of long division:

(i) 350\dfrac{3}{50}

(ii) 29\dfrac{2}{9}

Q2

Prove that 5\sqrt{5} is an irrational number.

Q3

Convert the following decimal numbers in the form of pq\dfrac{p}{q}.

(i) 12.612.6

(ii) 0.01200.0120

(iii) 3.0523.05\overline{2}

(iv) 1.2351.2\overline{35}

(v) 0.230.\overline{23}

(vi) 2.052.0\overline{5}

(vii) 2.1252.12\overline{5}

(viii) 3.1253.12\overline{5}

(ix) 2.16252.\overline{1625}

Q4

Locate the following rational numbers on the number line.

(i) 0.5320.532

(ii) 1.15ˉ1.1\bar{5}

Q5

Find 6 rational numbers between 33 and 44.

Q6

Find 5 rational numbers between 25\dfrac{2}{5} and 35\dfrac{3}{5}.

Q7

Find 5 rational numbers between 16\dfrac{1}{6} and 25\dfrac{2}{5}.

Q8

If x3+x5=1615\dfrac{x}{3} + \dfrac{x}{5} = \dfrac{16}{15}, find the rational number xx.

Q9

Let aa and bb be two non-zero rational numbers such that a+1b=0a + \dfrac{1}{b} = 0. Without assigning any numerical values, determine whether abab is positive or negative. Justify your answer.

Q10

A rational number has a terminating decimal expansion whose last non-zero digit occurs in the 4th decimal place. Show that such a number can be written in the form p104\dfrac{p}{10^4}, where pp is an integer not divisible by 10. Is it necessary that the denominator of this rational number, when written in the lowest form, is divisible by 242^4 or 545^4? Give reasons.

Q11

Without performing division, determine whether the decimal expansion of 18125\dfrac{18}{125} is terminating or non-terminating. If it terminates, state the number of decimal places.

Q12

A rational number in its lowest form has denominator 23×52^3 \times 5. How many decimal places will its decimal expansion have? Explain your answer.

Q13

Let a=712a = \dfrac{7}{12} and b=56b = \dfrac{5}{6}. Express both aa and bb in the form k1m\dfrac{k_1}{m} and k2m\dfrac{k_2}{m} where k1k_1, k2k_2 and mm are integers and k2k1>6k_2 - k_1 > 6. Using the same denominator mm, write exactly five distinct rational numbers lying between aa and bb keeping an integer numerator. Explain why the condition k2k1>n+1k_2 - k_1 > n + 1 is necessary to find nn such rational numbers between the two rational numbers aa and bb using this method.

Q14

Three rational numbers x,y,zx, y, z satisfy x+y+z=0x + y + z = 0 and xy+yz+zx=0xy + yz + zx = 0. Show that all the rational numbers x,y,zx, y, z must be simultaneously zero.

Q15

Show that the rational number (a+b)2\dfrac{(a+b)}{2} lies between the rational numbers aa and bb.

Q16

Find the lengths of the hypotenuses of all the right triangles in Fig. 3.14 which is referred to as the square root spiral.

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