NUMBANSYSUAU

1.71205080
0 0 00 00 00 00 o0 00 00

27 200
189
343 100
1029
3462 7100
6924
346405 1760000
1732025
34641008 279750000
277 128064
3464101607 26219360000
24248711249
1970648751
1.732050807 .
We observe that the decimal representation of is neither terminating nor
repeating
Henoe V3 is anirrational number.

1.6 SOME USEFUL RESULTS ON IRRATIONAL NUMBERS

Following arne some useful results on irrational numbers, we state these results as theorems.
THEOREM 1 Negativeofan irrational number is an irrational number.
PROOF Let r bean irrational number. Then, we have to show that -x is also an irrational
number. If possible, let- xbe a rational number.
We know that the negative of a rational number is also a rational number.
x is a rational number
-

-X) is a rationalnumber. ris a rational number

This contradicts the fact that x is irrational. Hernce, - x is an irrational number.

THEOREM 2 The sum ofa rational number and an irrational number is an irrational number.
PROOF Let x be a rational number and y be an irrational number. Then, we have to show
that (r y) is an irrational number. If possible, let (r+ y) be a rational number.
Since the diference of two rational numbers is a rational number.
+y)is a rational number and x is a rational number
(x+y)-xis a rationalnumber. =» y is a rational number.
This contradicts the fact that y is an irational number. Hence, (x+ y) is an irrational number.
THEOREM 3 The product of a non-zero rational number and an irrational number is an irrational
reumber.
PROOF Let x be a non-zero rational number and y be an irrational number. Then, we have to
show that ry is an irrational number. If possible, let aybe a rational number.
Since the quotient of two non-zero rational numbers is a rational number.
ry is a rational number and r is a rational number.
i s a rational number y is a rational number
NUMBER SYSTEM 21

1.732050807
1 3.000000000000 0000
27 200
189
343 1100
1029
3462 7100
6924
346405 1760000
1732025
34641008 279750000
2771280644
3464101607 26219360000
24248711249
1970648751
V 1.732050807 ..
We observe that the decimal representation of 3 is neither terminating nor repeating.
Hence, 3 is an irrational number.
1.6 SOME USEFUL RESULTS ON IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
Following are some useful results on irrational numbers, we state these results as theorems.
THEOREM 1 Negativeofan irrational number is an irrational number.
PROOF Let x be an irrational number. Then, we have to show that - x is also an irrational

number. If possible,let-xbearationalnumber.
Weknow that the negative of a rational number is also a rational number.
- x is a rational number
- -x) is a rational number. x is a rational number

This contradicts the fact that x is irrational. Hence,- xis an irrational number.
THEOREM 2 The sum ofa rational number and an irational number is an irrational number.
PROOF Let x be a rational number and y be an irrational number. Then, we have to show
that (r+ y)is an irrational number. Ifpossible, let (x + y) be a rational number.
Since the difference of two rational numbers is a rational number.
(x +y) is a rationalnumber and x is a rational number
(x+y)-xis a rational number. * y is a rational number.
This contradicts the fact thaty is an irrational number. Hence, (+ y) is an irrational number
THEOREM 3 The product of a non-zero rational number and an irrational number is an irrational
mumber.
PROOF Let xbe a non-zero rational number and ybe an irrational number. Then, we have to
show that xryis an irrational number. If possible, let xy be a rational nunmber.
Since the quotient of twonon-zero rational numbers is a rationalnumber.
rational number.
xy is a rational number and x is a

is a rational number y is a rational number

NUMBER SYSTEM 23

3 while numberb has5.So, a <b.Consider the numbersc=0.25 and d=0.2525

Clearly, cand dboth are rational numbers such thata <c<d<b.
EAMPLE 5 Find a rational number and also an irrational number betwen the numbers a and b
given below
a
=0.101001000100001..., b=0.1001000100001
SOLUTION Since the decimal representations of a and b are non-terminating and non-
repeating. So, a and b are irrational numbers.
We observed that in the first two places of decimal a and b have the same digits. But in the
third place of decimal a has a 1 whereas bhas zero.
a>b
Constructionofarational number between aandb: As mentioned above, first two digits after the
decimal point of a and bare the same. But, in the third placea has a 1 and b has a zero. So, if
weconsider the number cgiven by c=0.101.
Then, c is a rational number as it has a terminating decimal representation.
Since b has a zero in the third place of decimal and chas a 1.
b<c
We also observethatc <a, because c has zeros in all the places after the third place of decimal
whereas the decimal representation ofa has a l in the sixth
place.
Thus, cis a rational number such that b<c<a.
Hence, c is the required rational number between a and b.
Construction of an irrational number between a and b: Consider the number dgivenby
d 0.1002000100001 .
Clearly, d is an irrational number as its decimal representation is non-terminating and non-
repeating.
We observe that in the first three places of their decimal representations b and d have the
same digits but in the fourth place d has a 2 whereas b has only a 1.
d>b
Also, comparing a and d, we obtaina >d.
Thus, d is an irational number such that b <d<a.

EXAMPLE6 Find one irrational number between the number a and b given below:
a0.1111.. =
0.1 and b=0.1101
SOLUTION Clearly, a and b are rational numbers, since a has a repeating decimal and bhas a
terminating decimal. We observe that in the third place of decimal a has a 1, while b has a
zero.
a>b
Consider the number c givenby: c =0.111101001000100001.
Clearly, c is an irational number as it has non-repeating and non-terminating decimal
representation.
We observe that in the first two places of their decimal representations band chave the same
digits. But in the third placeb has a zero whereas chas a1.
b<c
Also, c and a have the same digits in the first four places of their decimal representations but
in the fifth place c has a zero and a has a 1.