1.

Prove that for any prime positive integer p, √p is an irrational number.

Answer»

Let assume that √p is rational

Therefore it can be expressed in the form of \(\frac{a}{b}\), where a and b are integers and b ≠ 0

Therefore we can write √p = \(\frac{a}{b}\)

(√p)2 = (\(\frac{p}{q}\)) 2

P = \(\frac{a^2}{b^2}\)

a 2 = pb2

Since a2 is divided by b2, therefore a is divisible by b.

Let a = kc

(kc)2 = pb2

K 2c 2 = pb2

Here also b is divided by c, therefore b2 is divisible by c2.

This contradicts that a and b are co - primes.

Hence √p is an irrational number.



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