$\sqrt2 + \sqrt3$ is
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irrational
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rational
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natural
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None
Reveal answer
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A
Correct answer
Explanation
$\cfrac{m}{n} = \sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3} $
Square both sides:
$\cfrac{m^2}{ n^2} = 5 + 2\sqrt{6} $
"Solve" for $\sqrt{6}$
$\sqrt{6} = \cfrac{\left(m^{2} - 5n^{2}\right)}{\left(2n^{2}\right)} $
so if $\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3} $ is rational, then so is $ \sqrt{6}$
Let a and b be the integers with gcd(a,b) = 1 such that
$\cfrac{a}{b} = \sqrt{6}$
Square both sides and multiply by $b^2$:
$a^2 = 6b^2 $
$\sqrt{6} = \cfrac{\left(m^{2} - 5n^{2}\right)}{\left(2n^{2}\right)} $
so if $\sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3} $ is rational, then so is $ \sqrt{6}$
Let a and b be the integers with gcd(a,b) = 1 such that
$\cfrac{a}{b} = \sqrt{6}$
Square both sides and multiply by $b^2$:
$a^2 = 6b^2 $
Now, the right side is divisible by 2, so $a^2$ is divisible by 2, which
then implies that a is divisible by 2 (since 2 is prime).
Therefore we can write a=2k for some integer k:
$4k^{2} = \left(2k \right)^{2} = 6b^{2} $
Divide by 2:
$2k^{2} = 3b^{2} $
Now the left side is divisible by 2, so $3b^{2}$ is divisible by 2, from which it follows that b is divisible by 2.
However, this would mean that 2 divides gcd(a,b) = 1. Contradiction.
$\therefore \sqrt{6} $ is irrational
, and $\therefore \sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3} $ is also irrational.
then implies that a is divisible by 2 (since 2 is prime).
Therefore we can write a=2k for some integer k:
$4k^{2} = \left(2k \right)^{2} = 6b^{2} $
Divide by 2:
$2k^{2} = 3b^{2} $
Now the left side is divisible by 2, so $3b^{2}$ is divisible by 2, from which it follows that b is divisible by 2.
However, this would mean that 2 divides gcd(a,b) = 1. Contradiction.
$\therefore \sqrt{6} $ is irrational
, and $\therefore \sqrt{2} + \sqrt{3} $ is also irrational.