Is a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal always an irrational?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the concept of irrational numbers and how they cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. However, they can be approximated by rational numbers to an arbitrary number of digits. The conversation also mentions that the numerator and denominator in this approximation will endlessly grow as the number of digits increases.
  • #1
reek
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We can build 1/33 like this, .0303... (03 repeats). .0303... tends to 1/33 .
So,I was wondering this: In the decimal representation, if we start writing the 10 numerals in such a way that the decimal portion never ends and never repeats; then am I getting closer and closer to some irrational number?
 
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If a decimal never repeats and never terminates, then we cannot express it as the ratio of two integers, and so it is called irrational.
 
  • #3
MarkFL said:
If a decimal never repeats and never terminates, then we cannot express it as the ratio of two integers, and so it is called irrational.
On the other hand, an irrational number can be approximated to an arbitrary number of digits by a rational number. For instance, given any irrational number $\pi$, we can trivially approximate it to $n$ decimals as:

$$\overset{\approx}{\pi_n} = \frac{\lfloor 10^n \pi \rceil}{10^n}$$

However, the numerator and denominator will endlessly grow as $n \to \infty$.

In fact, assuming the digits of $\pi$ are randomly distributed, then the numerator is uniform in $0 \leq \lfloor 10^n \pi \rceil \leq 10^n \pi$. Note this is generally not true (I don't even think it is ever true) but it is a good enough approximation for our purposes.

Then, the probability that $\lfloor 10^n \pi \rceil$ is divisible by $10$ is basically $\frac{1}{10}$, which is subcritical, therefore it is clear that the numerator and denominator will grow exponentially with $n$, largely unsimplified.
 

Related to Is a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal always an irrational?

1. What is a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal?

A non-repeating and non-terminating decimal is a decimal number that continues infinitely without repeating any pattern or ending in a specific digit or sequence of digits.

2. How can you determine if a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal is irrational?

A non-repeating and non-terminating decimal is irrational if it cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. In other words, there is no finite or repeating pattern in its decimal representation.

3. Can a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal be rational?

No, a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal can never be rational. The definition of a rational number is one that can be expressed as a ratio of two integers, and a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal cannot be expressed in this form.

4. Are all irrational numbers non-repeating and non-terminating decimals?

No, not all irrational numbers are non-repeating and non-terminating decimals. For example, the square root of 2 is an irrational number, but it can be written as a decimal with a repeating pattern of decimals.

5. Why is it important to determine if a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal is irrational?

It is important to determine if a non-repeating and non-terminating decimal is irrational because it helps us understand the nature of numbers and their relationships. It also allows us to accurately represent and manipulate these numbers in mathematical calculations and applications.

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