Prove that the following are irrationals:
(i) 1/√2 (ii) 7√5 (iii) 6 + √2
Solution:
Irrational numbers are the subset of real numbers that cannot be expressed in the form of a fraction, p/q where p and q are integers. The denominator q is not equal to zero (q ≠ 0).
(i) 1/√2
Let us assume that 1/√2 is a rational number.
Then, 1/√2 = a/b, where a and b have no common factors other than 1.
√2 × a = b
√2 = b/a
Since b and a are integers, b/a is a rational number and so, √2 is rational.
But we know that √2 is irrational.
So, our assumption was wrong. Therefore, 1/√2 is an irrational number.
(ii) 7√5
Let us assume that 7√5 is a rational number.
Then, 7√5 = a/b, where a and b have no common factors other than 1.
(7√5) b = a
√5 = a/7b
Since, a, 7, and b are integers, so, a/7b is a rational number. This means √5 is rational. But this contradicts the fact that √5 is irrational.
So, our assumption was wrong. Therefore, 7√5 is an irrational number.
(iii) 6 + √2
Let us assume that 6 + √2 is rational.
Then, 6 + √2 = a/b, where a and b have no common factors other than 1.
√2 = (a/b) - 6
Since, a, b, and 6 are integers, so, a/b - 6 is a rational number. This means √2 is also a rational number.
But this contradicts the fact that √2 is irrational. So, our assumption was wrong.
Therefore, 6 + √2 is an irrational number.
☛ Check: NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths Chapter 1
Video Solution:
Prove that the following are irrationals: (i) 1/√2 (ii) 7√5 (iii) 6 + √2
NCERT Solutions Class 10 Maths Chapter 1 Exercise 1.3 Question 3
Summary:
We have proved that (i) 1/√2 (ii) 7√5 (iii) 6 + √2 are irrationals using the contradiction method.
☛ Related Questions:
- Prove that 3 + 2√5 is irrational.
- Prove that the following are irrationals: (i) 1/√2 (ii) 7√5 (iii) 6 + √2
- Without actually performing the long division, state whether the following rational numbers will have a terminating decimal expansion or a non-terminating repeating decimal expansion: (i) 13/3125 (ii) 17/8 (iii) 64/455 (iv) 15/1600 (v) 29/343 (vi) 23/2352 (vii) 129/225775 (viii) 6/15 (ix) 35/50 (x) 77/210
- Write down the decimal expansions of those rational numbers in Question 1 above which have terminating decimal expansions. (i) 13/3125 (ii) 17/8 = 2.125 (iii) 64/455 (iv) 15/1600 (v) 29/343 (vi) 23/ (23 x 52) (vii) 129/(22 x 57 x 75) (viii) 6/15 (ix) 35/50 (x) 77/210
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