# Prove the Square Root of 2 is irrational

by njkid
Tags: irrational, prove, root, square
 P: 22 This is Algebra 2 question... I have to prove that the square root of 2 is irrational... First we must assume that sqrt (2) = a/b I never took geometry and i dont know proofs... Please help me. Thank you.
 P: 159 a rational number is of form a/b where a and be are mutually prime. I will give you a hint: you must prove that and and b cannot possibly be mutually prime. and what does this have to do with geometry?
 P: 669 You're off to a good start. Let "a" and "b" be natural numbers. $$\sqrt{2}=\frac{a}{b}\implies b\sqrt{2}=a$$ Now, how could "a" be a natural number? Well, "b" would be some multiple of $\sqrt{2}$. This in turn, would mean that "b" isn't a natural number. Can you see where this is going? You need to prove this by contradiction.
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## Prove the Square Root of 2 is irrational

"Now, how could "a" be a natural number? Well, "b" would be some multiple of $\sqrt{2}$. This in turn, would mean that "b" isn't a natural number."
How does that follow? Saying b*(1/2) , for example, equals a natural number does not imply that b isn't a natural number! Of course 1/2 isn't an irrational number but the whole point here is to prove that $\sqrt{2}$ is irrational.

Better to note that if $\frac{a}{b}= \sqrt{2}$ then, squaring both sides, $\frac{a^2}{b^2}= 2$ so that a2= 2b2 showing that a2 is even.

Crucial point: the square of an odd integer is always odd:

If p is an odd integer, then it can be written 2n+ 1 where n is any integer.

p2= (2n+1)2= 4n2+ 4n+ 1= 2(2n2+2n)+1.

Since 2n2+ 2n is an integer, p2 is of the form 2m+1 (m= 2n2+2n) and so is odd.

Do you see why knowing that tells us that a must be even?
P: 22
 Quote by HallsofIvy "Now, how could "a" be a natural number? Well, "b" would be some multiple of $\sqrt{2}$. This in turn, would mean that "b" isn't a natural number." How does that follow? Saying b*(1/2) , for example, equals a natural number does not imply that b isn't a natural number! Of course 1/2 isn't an irrational number but the whole point here is to prove that $\sqrt{2}$ is irrational. Better to note that if $\frac{a}{b}= \sqrt{2}$ then, squaring both sides, $\frac{a^2}{b^2}= 2$ so that a2= 2b2 showing that a2 is even. Crucial point: the square of an odd integer is always odd: If p is an odd integer, then it can be written 2n+ 1 where n is any integer. p2= (2n+1)2= 4n2+ 4n+ 1= 2(2n2+2n)+1. Since 2n2+ 2n is an integer, p2 is of the form 2m+1 (m= 2n2+2n) and so is odd. Do you see why knowing that tells us that a must be even?
Wow!! You are so good at teaching! Thank you everybody!

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