Chapter - 1

Real Numbers
Previous Years Questions

1.1 Introduction

MCQ
1. The total number of factors of a prime number is
(a) 1
(b) 0
(c) 2
(d) 3
(2020)

1.2 The Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic

MCQ
2. The ratio of HCF to LCM of the least composite number and the least prime number is
(a) 1: 2
(b) 2: 1
(c) 1: 1
(d) 1: 3
(2023)

3. If HCF⁡(39,91) = 13, then LCM⁡(39,91) is

(a) 91
(b) 273
(c) 39
(d) 3549
(Term I, 2021-22)

4. Two positive numbers have their HCF as 12 and their product as 6336. The number of pairs possible
for the numbers, is
(a) 2
(b) 3
(c) 4
(d) 1
(Term I, 2021-22)

5. If ' 𝑛 ' is any natural number, then (12)𝑛 cannot end with the digit
(a) 2
 (b) 4
(c) 8
(d) 0
(Term I, 2021-22)

6. The number 385 can be expressed as the product of prime factors as

(a) 5 × 11 × 13
(b) 5 × 7 × 11
(c) 5 × 7 × 13
(d) 5 × 11 × 17
(Term I, 2021-22)

7. The HCF and the LCM of 12,21 and 15 respectively, are

(a) 3,140
(b) 12,420
(c) 3,420
(d) 420,3
(2020) Ap

VSA (1 mark)

8. The LCM of two numbers is 182 and their HCF is 13. If one of the numbers is 26, find the other.
(2020)

9. The LCM of two numbers is 9 times their HCF. The sum of LCM and HCF is 500. Find the HCF of
the two numbers.

(2019C)

10. If HCF⁡(336,54) = 6, find LCM⁡(336,54).

(2019)

11. The HCF of two numbers 𝑎 and 𝑏 is 5 and their LCM is 200. Find the product 𝑎𝑏.
(AI 2019)

12. What is the HCF of smallest prime number and the smallest composite number?
(2018)

13. Show that any number of the form 6𝑛 , where 𝑛 ∈ 𝑁 can never end with digit 0
(Board Term I, 2017) An

14. The HCF of two numbers is 27 and their LCM is 162, if one of the numbers is 54, find the other
number
(Board Term I, 2017)
15. The LCM of two numbers is 2079 and their HCF is 27. If one of the numbers is 297. Find the other
number
(Board Term I, 2015)

SA I (2 marks)
16. Find the least number which when divided by 12,16 and 24 leaves remainder 7 in each case.
(2023)

17. Two numbers are in the ratio 2: 3 and their LCM is 180. What is the HCF of these numbers?

18. Explain why 2 × 3 × 5 + 5 and 5 × 7 × 11 + 7 × 5 are composite numbers.

(2021C)

19. If HCF of 65 and 117 is expressible in the form 65𝑛 − 117, then find the value of 𝑛.
(2019)

20. Find the HCF of 612 and 1314 using prime factorization.

(Al 2019)

21. Express 5050 as product of its prime factors. Is it unique?

(Board Term I, 2017)

22. Show that the numbers 231 and 396 are not co-prime.
(Board Term I, 2017)

SA II (3 marks)
23. Find HCF and LCM of 404 and 96 and verify that HCF × LCM = Product of the two given numbers.
(2018)

24. An army contingent of 678 soldiers is to march behind an army band of 36 members in a Republic
Day parade. The two groups are to march in the same number of columns. What is the maximum
number of columns they can march?
(Board Term I, 2017)

25. On a morning walk, three persons steps off together and their steps measure 40 cm, 42 cm, and
45 cm respectively. What is the minimum distance each
should walk so that each can cover same distance in complete steps?
(Board Term I, 2015)
 LA (4/5 / 6 marks)
26. A sweet shopkeeper prepares 396 gulab jamuns and 342 ras-gullas. He packs them into containers.
Each container consists of either gulab jamun or ras-gullas but have equal number of pieces. Find the
number of pieces he should put in each box so that number of boxes are least.
(Board Term I, 2017)

27. Find the largest possible positive integer that divides 125, 162 and 259 leaving remainder 5, 6 and 7
respectively.
(Board Term I, 2017)

1.3 Revisiting Irrational Numbers

SA I (2 marks)
28. Show that 5 + 2√7 is an irrational number, where √7 is given to be an irrational number.

(2020)

3+√7
29. Show that is an irrational number, given that √7 is irrational.
5

(2019C)

30. Given that √2 is irrational, prove that (5 + 3√2) is an irrational number.

(2018)

31. How many irrational numbers lie between √2 and √3 ? Write any two of them.
(Board Term I, 2017)

SA II (3 marks)
32. Prove that √3 is an irrational number.
(2023)

33. Prove that √5 is an irrational number.

(2023, NCERT, AI 2019)

34. Prove that √2 is an irrational number.

(2020 C, NCERT, Delhi 2019)

35. Prove that 2 + 5√3 is an irrational number, given that √3 is an irrational number.
 (2019)

LA (4/5 / 6 marks)
36. Define irrational number and prove that 3 + 2√5 is an irrational number.

(NCERT, Board Term I, 2017)

37. Prove that 2 + √5 is an irrational number.

(Board Term I, 2015)

 chapter - 1
SOLUTIONS

1. (c): Total number of factors of a prime number is 2 i.e., 1 and number itself.

2. (a): Least composite number = 4

Least prime number = 2

∴ HCF = 2, LCM = 4
2
∴ Required ratio = 4 i.e., 1: 2

3. (b) : We know that,

HCF × LCM = Product of two numbers

39 × 91
⇒ 13 × LCM = 39 × 91 ⇒ LCM = = 273
13
4. (a) : Given, HCF = 12
Let two numbers be 12𝑎𝑎 and 12𝑏𝑏

So, 12𝑎𝑎 × 12𝑏𝑏 = 6336 ⇒ 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 44

We can write 44 as product of two numbers in these ways: 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 1 × 44 = 2 × 22 = 4 × 11

Here, we will take 𝑎𝑎 = 1 and 𝑏𝑏 = 44; 𝑎𝑎 = 4 and 𝑏𝑏 = 11.

We do not take 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 2 × 22 because 2 and 22 are not co-prime to each other.

For 𝑎𝑎 = 1 and 𝑏𝑏 = 44, 1st no. = 12𝑎𝑎 = 12, 2nd no. = 12𝑏𝑏 = 528

For 𝑎𝑎 = 4 and 𝑏𝑏 = 11, 1st no. = 12𝑎𝑎 = 48, 2nd no. = 12𝑏𝑏 = 132

Hence, we get two pairs of numbers, (12,528) and (48,132).

5. (d) : For 𝑛𝑛 = 1,2,3,4 …

(12)𝑛𝑛 cannot end with 0

6. (b) : We have,
5 385

7 77
 11 11

∴ Prime factorisation of 385 = 5 × 7 × 11

7. (c): We have, 12 = 2 × 2 × 3 = 22 × 3
21 = 3 × 7

15 = 3 × 5

∴ HCF⁡
(12,21,15) = 3 and

(12,21,15) = 22 × 3 × 5 × 7 = 420
LCM⁡

8. Let the other number be 𝑥𝑥.

As, HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) × LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑏𝑏

13 × 182
⇒ 13 × 182 = 26 × 𝑥𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = = 91
26
Hence, other number is 91.

9. Let 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 be two number such that

LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 9 ⋅ HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) …(i)

and LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) + HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 500….(ii)

Using (i) in (ii), we get

9HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) + HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 500

⇒ 10HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 500 ⇒ HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 50

10. Since, HCF⁡

(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) × LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑏𝑏
∴ HCF⁡
(336,54) × LCM⁡
(336,54) = 336 × 54

⇒ 6 × LCM⁡
(336,54) = 18144

18144
⇒ LCM⁡
(336,54) = = 3024
6
11. We know that, HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) × LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑏𝑏
⇒ 5 × 200 = 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ⇒ 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 = 1000
12. Smallest prime number = 2
Smallest composite number = 4

HCF⁡
(2,4) = 2

13. The prime factor of 6𝑛𝑛 = (2 × 3)𝑛𝑛 = 2𝑛𝑛 × 3𝑛𝑛 .

Therefore prime factorisation of 6𝑛𝑛 does not contain any prime factor 5 . Hence, 6𝑛𝑛 can never ends
with the digit 0 for any natural number.

14. Let the other number be 𝑥𝑥.

As, HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) × LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑏𝑏

27 × 162
∴ 27 × 162 = 54𝑥𝑥 ⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = = 81
54
Hence, other number is 81.

15. Let the other number be 𝑥𝑥.

We know that, HCF⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) × LCM⁡
(𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏) = 𝑎𝑎 × 𝑏𝑏

∴ 27 × 2079 = 297 × 𝑥𝑥

2079 × 27
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = = 189
297
Hence, other number is 189.

16. Given, least number which when divided by 12,16 and 24 leaves remainder 7 in each case
∴ least number = LCM⁡
(12,16,24) + 7 = 48 + 7 = 55

17. Let the two numbers be 2𝑥𝑥 and 3𝑥𝑥.

LCM of 2𝑥𝑥 and 3𝑥𝑥 = 6𝑥𝑥, HCF⁡
(2𝑥𝑥, 3𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥

Now, 6𝑥𝑥 = 180

[Given]

180
⇒ 𝑥𝑥 = = 30
6
∴ HCF⁡
(2𝑥𝑥, 3𝑥𝑥) = 𝑥𝑥 = 30

18. We have, 2 × 3 × 5 + 5 and 5 × 7 × 11 + 7 × 5.

We can write these numbers as :
 2 × 3 × 5 + 5 = 5(2 × 3 + 1)

= 1×5×7

and 5 × 7 × 11 + 7 × 5 = 5 × 7(11 + 1)

= 5 × 7 × 12 = 1 × 5 × 7 × 12

Since, on simplifying, we find that both the numbers have more than two factors. So, these are
composite numbers.

19. Since, HCF⁡

(65,117) = 13
Given HCF⁡
(65,117) = 65𝑛𝑛 − 117

⇒ 13 = 65𝑛𝑛 − 117

⇒ 65𝑛𝑛 = 13 + 117 ⇒ 𝑛𝑛 = 2.

20. Prime factorisation of 612 and 1314 are

612 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 17

1314 = 2 × 3 × 3 × 73

∴ HCF⁡
(612,1314) = 2 × 3 × 3 = 18

21. 5050 = 2 × 5 × 5 × 101 = 2 × 52 × 101

Yes, it is unique.

22. Prime factorisation of 231 and 396 are

231 = 3 × 7 × 11

396 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 11

HCF⁡
(231,396) = 3 × 11 = 33 ≠ 1

Hence, the two numbers are not co-prime.

23. Using the factor tree method, we have

 ⇒ 404 = 2 × 2 × 101 and 96 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3

∴ HCF of 404 and 96 = 2 × 2 = 4

LCM of 404 and 96 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 101 = 9696

Also 404 × 96 = 38784

LCM × HCF = 9696 × 4 = 38784

Thus, HCF × LCM = Product of two numbers.

24. Number of soldiers in an army contingent

= 678 = 2 × 3 × 113

Number of members in an army band = 36 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3

The maximum number of columns such that two groups can march in same number of columns is
HCF of 678 and 36.

HCF⁡
(678,36) = 2 × 3 = 6

So, the maximum number of columns they can march is 6.

25. The prime factorisation of 40,42,45 are

40 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 = 23 × 51

42 = 2 × 3 × 7

45 = 3 × 3 × 5 = 32 × 5

∴ (40,42,45) = 23 × 32 × 51 × 71
LCM⁡

= 8 × 9 × 5 × 7 = 2520

∴ Required distance = 2520cm or 0.0252km.

26. Number of gulab jamuns = 396 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 11
Number of ras-gullas= 342 = 2 × 3 × 3 × 19

HCF⁡
(396,342) = 2 × 3 × 3 = 18

So, shopkeeper will put 18 sweets in each box such that number of boxes are least.

27. It is given that the required number when divides 125, 162, 259 leaves the remainder 5,6,7
respectively. This means that 125 − 5 = 120,162 − 6 = 156,
259 − 7 = 252 are divisible by the required number.

The required number is HCF of all these numbers.

The prime factorisation of 120,156,252 are

120 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 5

156 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 13; 252 = 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 7

HCF⁡
(120,156,252) = 2 × 2 × 3 = 12

Hence, the required number is 12.

28. Suppose 5 + 2√7 is a rational number.

∴ We can find two integers 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏(𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0) such that
𝑎𝑎
5 + 2√7 = 𝑏𝑏 , where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are co-prime.

𝑎𝑎 1 𝑎𝑎
⇒ 2√7 = − 5 ⇒ √7 = � − 5�
𝑏𝑏 2 𝑏𝑏

⇒ √7 is a rational number
1 𝑎𝑎
[∵ 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏 are integers, so � − 5� is a rational number]
2 𝑏𝑏

But this contradicts the fact that √7 is an irrational number. Hence, our assumption is wrong. Thus,
5 + 2√7 is an irrational number.

3+√7
29. Suppose is rational number.
5
3+√7 𝑝𝑝
∴ We can find two integers 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞(𝑞𝑞 ≠ 0) such that = 𝑞𝑞 , where 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞 are co-prime.
5

5𝑝𝑝
⇒ 3 + √7 =
𝑞𝑞
 5𝑝𝑝
⇒ √7 = 𝑞𝑞
− 3 ⇒ √7 is a rational number.

5𝑝𝑝
[∵ 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞 are integers, so − 3 is a rational number ]
𝑞𝑞

But this contradicts the fact that √7 is an irrational number.

Hence, our supposition is wrong.

3+√7
Thus, is an irrational number.
5

30. Let (5 + 3√2) is rational.

𝑎𝑎
Then, 5 + 3√2 = 𝑏𝑏 , where 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏(≠ 0) are coprime numbers

𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎 − 5𝑏𝑏
∴ 3√2 = − 5 ⇒ √2 =
𝑏𝑏 3𝑏𝑏

⇒ √2 is rational number.

𝑎𝑎 − 5𝑏𝑏
�∵ 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏 are integers ∴ is rational �
3𝑏𝑏

But this contradicts the fact that √2 is irrational.

Hence, 5 + 3√2 an also irrational number.

31. There are infinite irrational numbers between √2 and √3. Examples are √2.1 and √2.3.

32. Let us assume that √3 is a rational number.

𝑎𝑎
Then √3 = 𝑏𝑏 ; where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏(≠ 0) are co-prime positive integers.
Squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎 2
3 = 𝑏𝑏 2 ⇒ 𝑎𝑎2 = 3𝑏𝑏 2 ⇒ 3 divides 𝑎𝑎2

⇒ 3 divides 𝑎𝑎 …(i)

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 = 3𝑐𝑐, where 𝑐𝑐 is an integer

Again, squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎2 = 9𝑐𝑐 2

⇒ 3𝑏𝑏 2 = 9𝑐𝑐 2 ⇒ 𝑏𝑏 2 = 3𝑐𝑐 2 ⇒ 3 divides 𝑏𝑏 2

 ⇒ 3 divides 𝑏𝑏…..(ii)

From (i) and (ii), we get 3 divides both 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏.

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are not co-prime integers.

This contradicts the fact that 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are co-primes.

Hence, √3 is an irrational number.

33. Let us assume that √5 is a rational number.

𝑎𝑎
Then √5 = 𝑏𝑏 ; where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏(≠ 0) are co-prime integers.

Squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎2
5= ⇒ 𝑎𝑎2 = 5𝑏𝑏 2
𝑏𝑏 2
⇒ 5 divides 𝑎𝑎2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑎𝑎 …(i)

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 = 5𝑐𝑐, where 𝑐𝑐 is an integer

Again, squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎2 = 25𝑐𝑐 2

⇒ 5𝑏𝑏 2 = 25𝑐𝑐 2 ⇒ 𝑏𝑏 2 = 5𝑐𝑐 2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑏𝑏 2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑏𝑏….(ii)

From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏.

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are not co-prime integers.

Hence, our supposition is wrong.

Thus, √5 is an irrational number.

34. Let us assume √2 be a rational number.

𝑝𝑝
Then, √2 = 𝑞𝑞 , where 𝑝𝑝, 𝑞𝑞(𝑞𝑞 ≠ 0) are integers and co-prime.

On squaring both sides, we get

 𝑝𝑝 2
2 = 𝑞𝑞 2 ⇒ 𝑝𝑝2 = 2𝑞𝑞 2 …(i)

⇒ 2 divides 𝑝𝑝2 ⇒ 2 divides 𝑝𝑝….(ii)

So, 𝑝𝑝 = 2𝑎𝑎, where 𝑎𝑎 is some integer.

Again squaring on both sides, we get

𝑝𝑝2 = 4𝑎𝑎2 ⇒ 2𝑞𝑞 2 = 4𝑎𝑎2 #𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢𝑢 (𝑖𝑖)

(using (i))

⇒ 𝑞𝑞 2 = 2𝑎𝑎2

⇒ 2 divides 𝑞𝑞 2 ⇒ 2 divides 𝑞𝑞….(iii)

From (ii) and (iii), we get

2 divides both 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞.

∴ 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞 are not co-prime integers.

Hence, our assumption is wrong.

Thus, √2 is an irrational number.

35. Suppose 2 + 5√3 is a rational number.

𝑎𝑎
∴ We can find two integers 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏(𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0) such that 2 + 5√3 = 𝑏𝑏 , where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are co-prime
integers.

𝑎𝑎 1 𝑎𝑎
⇒ 5√3 = − 2 ⇒ √3 = � − 2�
𝑏𝑏 5 𝑏𝑏

⇒ √3 is a rational number.
1 𝑎𝑎
[∵ 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏 are integers, so � − 2� is a rational number. ]
5 𝑏𝑏

But this contradicts the fact that √3 is an irrational number.

Hence, our assumption is wrong.

Thus, 2 + 5√3 is an irrational number.

𝑝𝑝
36. Irrational number is a number which can not be written in the form 𝑞𝑞 , where 𝑝𝑝 and 𝑞𝑞 are integers and
𝑞𝑞 ≠ 0.
First, we prove that √5 is an irrational number.
Let us assume that √5 is a rational number.
𝑎𝑎
Then √5 = 𝑏𝑏 ; where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏(≠ 0) are co-prime integers.

Squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎 2
5 = 𝑏𝑏 2 ⇒ 𝑎𝑎2 = 5𝑏𝑏 2 ⇒ 5 divides 𝑎𝑎2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑎𝑎 …(i)

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 = 5𝑐𝑐, where 𝑐𝑐 is an integer

Again, squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎2 = 25𝑐𝑐 2

⇒ 5𝑏𝑏 2 = 25𝑐𝑐 2 ⇒ 𝑏𝑏 2 = 5𝑐𝑐 2 ⇒ 5 divides 𝑏𝑏 2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑏𝑏 …(ii)

From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏.

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are not co-prime integers.

This contradicts the fact that 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are co-primes.

Hence, √5 is an irrational number.

Now, to prove 3 + 2√5 is an irrational number.

Suppose 3 + 2√5 is a rational number ∴ We can find two integers 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏(𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0) such that 3 + 2√5 =
𝑎𝑎
𝑏𝑏
(where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are co-prime)

𝑎𝑎 1 𝑎𝑎
⇒ 2√5 = − 3 ⇒ √5 = � − 3�
𝑏𝑏 2 𝑏𝑏

⇒ √5 is a rational number

∵ 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏 are integers,

� 1 𝑎𝑎 �
∴ � − 3� is a rational number
2 𝑏𝑏

But this contradicts the fact that √5 is an irrational number.

Hence, our assumption is wrong.

Thus, 3 + 2√5 is an irrational number.

37. First we prove that √5 is an irrational number.
Let us assume that √5 is a rational number.
𝑎𝑎
Then √5 = 𝑏𝑏 ; where 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏(≠ 0) are co-prime integers.

Squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎 2
5 = 𝑏𝑏 2 ⇒ 𝑎𝑎2 = 5𝑏𝑏 2 ⇒ 5 divides 𝑎𝑎2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑎𝑎….(i)

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 = 5𝑐𝑐, where 𝑐𝑐 is an integer

Again, squaring on both sides, we get

𝑎𝑎2 = 25𝑐𝑐 2

⇒ 5𝑏𝑏 2 = 25𝑐𝑐 2 ⇒ 𝑏𝑏 2 = 5𝑐𝑐 2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑏𝑏 2

⇒ 5 divides 𝑏𝑏….(ii)

From (i) and (ii), we get 5 divides both 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏.

⇒ 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are not co-prime integers.

This contradicts the fact that 𝑎𝑎 and 𝑏𝑏 are co-primes.

Hence, √5 is an irrational number.

Now, to prove that 2 + √5 is an irrational number.

Suppose 2 + √5 is a rational number.

𝑎𝑎
∴ We can find two integers 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏(𝑏𝑏 ≠ 0) such that 2 + √5 = 𝑏𝑏 (where 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏 are co-prime)

𝑎𝑎
⇒ √5 = −2
𝑏𝑏

⇒ √5 is a rational number as 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏 are integers and so,

𝑎𝑎
𝑏𝑏
− 2 is rational number.

But this contradicts the fact that √5 is an irrational number.

Hence our assumption is wrong.

Thus, 2 + √5 is an irrational number.