SHREE M. & N.

VIRANI SCIENCE COLLEGE

IRRATIONAL NUMBERS

 proof of irrational numbers

 Definition :-> by contradiction :->
An irrational numbers is a number
that cannot be expressed as a fraction
p/q Suppose v2 is rational. That means it can be
for any integers p and q. written
there is no standard notation as the ratio of two integers p and q:
for the set of irrational numbers.
 HISTROCAL BACKGROUND :-> v2=p/q (1)

Where We may assume that p and q have no

The concept of irrationality was accepted
common factors.
by Indian mathematicians since the 7th century BC,
(If there are any common factors we cancel
when manava , the author of the Indian geometric text ,
them
in 690 BC believed that the square roots of numbers
in the numerator and denominator.)
such as 2 and 61 could not be exactly determined,
squaring (1) on both sides gives
but such claims are not well substantiated
the first proof of the existence of irrational numbers
is usually attributed to a Pythagorean 2=p²/q²
(people who were influenced by mathematics), Which implies
who probably discovered them while identifying
sides of the pentagram (shape of a 5 pointed stars). p²=q²
In middle ages, the development of algebra
(a branch of mathematics) by Muslim mathematicians Thus p² is even.
allowed irrational numbers to be trusted as The only way this can be true can be true is that
algebraic objects. The Egyptian mathematician p itself is even
Abu Kamil Shuja in 850-930 BC was the first to accept But then p² is actually divisible by 4.Hence q²
irrational numbers in the form of square roots, and therefore q must be even.
cube roots and fourth roots. so p and q are both even Which is a
contradiction
the most famous irrational numbers is v2 to our assumption that they have no common
sometimes called Pythagoras’s constant. factors
The Pythagorean philosopher , Hippasus used geometric The square root of 2 cannot be rational that
methods to demonstrate the irrationality of v2 while at means
sea square root of 2 is irrational.
and upon notifying his comrades of his great discovery.
He was immediately thrown overboard by the fanatic
Pythagoreans. Other examples include v3,e,π,Φ, etc
PYTHAGORAS :->