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Real Gist

The document contains solutions to various problems in real analysis, demonstrating properties of rational and irrational numbers. Key proofs include showing that the sum and product of a rational and an irrational number are irrational, that no rational number can have a square of 12, and that the reciprocal of an irrational number is also irrational. Additional proofs address properties of even and odd integers and the irrationality of certain expressions involving natural numbers.

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21 views3 pages

Real Gist

The document contains solutions to various problems in real analysis, demonstrating properties of rational and irrational numbers. Key proofs include showing that the sum and product of a rational and an irrational number are irrational, that no rational number can have a square of 12, and that the reciprocal of an irrational number is also irrational. Additional proofs address properties of even and odd integers and the irrationality of certain expressions involving natural numbers.

Uploaded by

tisungeni.kenard
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Solutions to Tutorial 1

MATH 3203: Real Analysis


The Catholic University of Malawi

Solutions
1. If r is a rational number r ̸= 0 and x is irrational, prove that r + x and rx are
irrational.
Proof:
Let r ∈ Q, x ∈/ Q, and suppose for contradiction that r + x ∈ Q. Then:

r + x ∈ Q ⇒ x = (r + x) − r

Since r ∈ Q, and r + x ∈ Q, then x ∈ Q, contradicting the assumption that x is irrational.


Thus, r + x ∈/ Q, i.e., irrational.
Now suppose rx ∈ Q. Then:
rx
x=
r
But r ̸= 0, and rx ∈ Q ⇒ x ∈ Q, a contradiction.
Hence, rx ∈/ Q.

2. Prove that there is no rational number whose square is 12.


Proof:
√ √
Suppose 12 ∈ Q ⇒ 12 = pq in lowest terms.

p2
⇒ 12 = ⇒ p2 = 12q 2
q2

But then 3 divides p2 , so 3 divides p. Let p = 3k. Then:

(3k)2 = 12q 2 ⇒ 9k 2 = 12q 2 ⇒ 3k 2 = 4q 2


p
This implies 3 divides q, contradicting that q
is in lowest terms.
√
Thus, 12 ∈ / Q.

3. Fix b > 1, m, n, p, q ∈ Z, n > 0, q > 0, r = m


n
, s = pq . Prove that br+s = br bs .
Proof:
m p mq + np
r+s= + =
n q nq

1
mq+np
Let t = nq
. Then:
br = bm/n , bs = bp/q , br+s = bt
Using exponent laws:
mq+np
br · bs = bm/n · bp/q = b nq = bt = br+s

√
4. Let n be a positive integer that is not a perfect square. Prove that n is
irrational.
Proof:
√ √
Suppose n ∈ Q ⇒ n = ab in lowest terms.

a2
n= ⇒ a2 = nb2
b2
This implies that n is a square (since the ratio of two squares is a square), which contradicts
that n is
√not a perfect square.
Hence, n is irrational.
√ √
5. Prove that 2 + 3 is irrational.
Proof: √ √
Suppose 2 + 3 = r ∈ Q.
Then: √ √
r− 2= 3
(rational irrational = irrational) contradiction.
Squaring both sides:
√ √ √ √
( 2 + 3)2 = r2 ⇒ 2 + 3 + 2 6 = r2 ⇒ r2 = 5 + 2 6
√ √
So r2 ∈
/ Q, contradiction. Hence, 2 + 3 ∈ / Q.

6. Prove that the reciprocal of an irrational number is irrational.


Proof:
Let x ∈ R \ Q and x ̸= 0. Suppose x1 ∈ Q.
1
Then x = (rational) ⇒ x ∈ Q, contradiction.
1
Therefore, x ∈
/ Q.
√ √
7. Show that 2 + 2 does not represent a rational number.
√ √ √
2+ 2=2 2
√
Since√ 2 is irrational and 2 is rational, their product is irrational.
Hence, 2 2 ∈
/ Q.

8. Suppose that if n is even, then (−1)n = 1.


Proof:
If n is even, n = 2k ⇒ (−1)n = (−1)2k = ((−1)2 )k = 1k = 1

2
9. Suppose that if n is odd, then (−1)n = −1.
Proof:
If n is odd, n = 2k + 1 ⇒ (−1)n = (−1)2k+1 = (−1)2k · (−1) = 1 · (−1) = −1
√ √
10. Prove that n − 1 + n + 1 is irrational for all natural numbers n.
Proof (Sketch):
Suppose for contradiction: √ √
n−1+ n+1∈Q
Then square both sides:
√ √ p √
( n − 1 + n + 1)2 = (n − 1) + (n + 1) + 2 (n − 1)(n + 1) = 2n + 2 n2 − 1

Thus: √ √
2n + 2 n2 − 1 ∈ Q ⇒ n2 − 1 ∈ Q
√
But n2 − 1 is not a√perfect square
√ for any n ≥ 1, so n2 − 1 ∈
/Q
Contradiction. So n − 1 + n + 1 is irrational.

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