Directorate of Education, GNCT Of Delhi
Subject: Mathematics Worksheet No: 3 Date: 10 July,2020
Class: X Name of the Student: _____________ Name of the Class Teacher: ___________
Topic: Proof of Irrationality
Irrational Numbers: Those numbers which cannot be written in the form of 𝑝𝑞 where p and q
are integers and q ≠0 are known as rational numbers. The decimal expansion of irrational numbers
is non- terminating and non -recurring (non -repeating) decimal expansion.
Example: √2=1.414...., π=3.141....,1. 10010001.…etc. We proved an irrational number on a
technique called "proof of contradiction". Except this we also used the theorem if p be a prime
number and p divides a2, then p divides a, where a is a positive integer.
Example: Theorem: Prove that √2 is irrational.
Solution: Proof: Proof by Contradiction:
Let us assume that √2 is a rational.
𝑝
√2 = 𝑞 where p and q are integers and q ≠0, and p & q are co-prime numbers i.e. p and q have no
common factors except 1.
∴p = √2𝑞 On squaring both sides, we get
P2 =2 q2 ……………………………. (1)
⇒ 2 divides p 2 ⇒ 2 divides p ⇒ p is an even integer and 2 is a factor of p.
Let p = 2m, where m is an integer.
P2 = 4m2 ⇒ 2q2 = 4m2
⇒q2 = 2m2……………………… (2)
⇒ 2 divides q2 ⇒ 2 divides q ⇒ q is an even integer and 2 is a factor of q.
It means both p and q are even integers. Therefore, p and q have at least 2 as a common factor.
This contradicts the fact that p and q are co-prime. This contradiction has arisen because of our
incorrect assumption that √2 is irrational.
So, we conclude that √2 is an irrational. Thus, √2 is irrational.
Question (1): Prove that √3 is an irrational number.
Question (2): Prove that 3 + √5 is an irrational number.
(Hint): The sum of rational and irrational numbers is irrational.
𝟑
Question (3): Prove that 5 - √3 is an irrational number.
𝟕
(Hint): The difference of rational and irrational numbers is irrational.
Note: See the following videos for more information:
https://diksha.gov.in/play/content/do_312990872646352896159
