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Prove 5 irrational |
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Answer» Question change √5 is irrational. Assume contrary that √5 is a rational number. Then √5 = a/b, where a and b are co-prime and b ≠ 0. ∴ HCF (a, b) = 1 ⇒ a = √5 b Now, a2 = 5b2 (By squaring both sides) ⇒ 5 divides a2 ⇒ 5 divides a (∵ If any prime number divides a2 then that prime number must divide a) ⇒ a = 5m ⇒ a2 = 25 m2 ⇒ 25 m2 = 5b2 (∵ a2 = 5b2) ⇒ b2 = 5 m2 ⇒ 5 divides b2 ⇒ 5 divides b Since, 5 divides both a and b. Therefore, HCF (a, b) ≠ 1, it is a multiple of 5. Which is contradicts the fact that a and b are co-prime numbers. Therefore, our assumption is wrong. i.e., √5 is an irrational number. |
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