Problem 6.3.

Problem
Prove that the value of every infinite continued fraction is
irrational.
Solution
Suppose x = [q0 ; q1 , q2 , ...] be an infinite continued fraction and x
is a rational
a
So x is of the form (suppose b > 0)
b
We have
1 1 b b
< |Qn .x − Pn | < ⇒ < |a.Qn = b.Pn | <
2Qn+1 Qn+1 2Qn+1 Qn+1
b
As lim Qn = +∞, we choose n0 large enough so that <1
n→+∞ Qn0 +1
⇒ 0 < |a.Qn0 − b.Pn0 | < 1
but |a.Qn0 − b.Pn0 | ∈ Z, we have a contradiction.
Thus, x is an irrational.
Problem 6.3.2

Problem
Let α = [q0 ; q1 , q2 , ...] be a real number. Express −α and −α + 2
as continued fractions.
Solution
Let αi = [qi ; qi+1 , ...] for i ≥ 1
If α = [q0 ] = q0 , then −α = −q0 = [−q0 ]
and −α + 2 = −q0 + 2 = [−q0 + 2]
Problem 6.3.2

If α ̸= [q0 ], then
1 α1 − 1 1
−α = −q0 − = −q0 − 1 + = −qo − 1 +
α1 α1 1
1+
α1 − 1
1
= −q0 − 1 +
1
1+
1
q1 − 1 +
α2
1 1
If q1 = 1, then −α = −q0 − 1 + = −q0 − 1 +
1 + α2 1
q2 + 1 +
α3
1
⇒ −α + 2 = −q0 + 1 +
1
q2 + 1 +
α3
Therefore, −α = [−q0 − 1; q2 + 1, q3 , ...]
and −α + 2 = [−q0 + 1; q2 + 1, q3 , ...]
Problem 6.3.2

1
−α = −q0 − 1 +
1
1+
1
q1 − 1 +
α2
If q1 ≥ 2, then −α = [−q0 − 1; 1, q1 − 1; q2 , ...]
and −α + 2 = [−q0 + 1; 1, q1 − 1, q2 , ...]
Problem 6.3.3
Problem
Prove that the product of two continued fractions

[a; b, a, b, ...] and [0; b, a, b, a, b, ...]

a
is equal to
b
Solution
Let α = [a; b, a, b, ...] and β = [0; b, a, b, a, b, ...]
We have,
1 1 α
α=a+ =a+ =a+
1 1 bα + 1
b+ b+
1 α
a+
1
b+
..
.
bα 2
⇒a=
bα + 1
Problem 6.3.3

1 1 α a
β= = = =
1 1 bα + 1 bα
b+ b+
1 α
a+
1
b+
1
a+
1
b+
..
.
a
⇒ αβ =
b
Problem 6.3.4
Problem
√
Express 11 as a continued fraction.

Solution √
Let α = [q0 ; q1 , q2 , ...] = 11 then q0 = [α] = 3
Let αi = [qi ; qi+1 , ...] √for i ≥ 1
1 11 + 3
α1 = ⇒ α1 = ⇒ q1 = [a1 ] = 3
α−3 2
1 √
α2 = ⇒ α2 = 11 + 3 ⇒ q2 = [a2 ] = 6
α1 − 3 √
1 11 + 3
α3 = ⇒ α3 = = α1 ⇒ q3 = [a3 ] = 3 = q1
α2 − 6 2
1 √
α4 = ⇒ α4 = 11 + 3 = α2 ⇒ q4 = [a4 ] = 6 = q2
α3 − 3
Continuing the process, we obtain
q1 = q3 = q5 = ... = 3 and q2 = q4 = q6 = ... = 6
√
Hence, 11 = [3; (3, 6)]
Problem 6.3.5

Problem
√
Prove that m2 + 1 = [m; (2m)].

Solution
Let α = [m; (2m)], we have

1 1 m2 + mα + 1
α=m+ =m+ =
1 m+α m+α
2m +
1
2m +
..
.
√
⇒ mα + α2√= m2 + mα + 1 ⇒ α2 = m2 + 1 ⇒ α = m2 + 1
Therefore, m2 + 1 = [m; (2m)]
Extra Problem
Problem
Let a, b are positive. Find the positive solution x to the equation
x 2 + ax − b = 0
Solution
b
x 2 + ax − b = 0 ⇔ x(x + a) = b ⇔ x =
a+x
b
We can replace x in the denominator with x = to get
a+x
b
x=
b
a+
a+x
b
Repeating this many time, we obtain x =
b
a+
b
a+
b
a+
..
.
is a solution of the stated equation.