Are the numbers ##eπ## and ##e+ π## transcendental?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transcendental nature of the numbers ##e\pi## and ##e + \pi##, as well as the properties of algebraic numbers. Participants explore whether these specific numbers can be classified as transcendental and discuss the implications of their irrationality.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that ##e\pi## and ##e + \pi## are likely transcendental, but acknowledge that standard theorems about transcendence may not apply directly to them.
  • It is noted that all rational numbers are algebraic, as they can be expressed as solutions to polynomial equations.
  • Participants clarify that algebraic numbers can indeed be rational and not limited to integers.
  • Some argue that since ##e## and ##\pi## are irrational, they cannot be solved for in polynomial equations in the same way as algebraic terms.
  • There is a caution expressed regarding the classification of numbers like ##\pi, -\pi##, and ##\pi^{-1}## as transcendental, while their sums and products may not retain that property.
  • One participant raises the question of whether ##\frac{\pi}{e}, e\pi, e+\pi## are irrational or transcendental, suggesting that it remains an open problem.
  • It is mentioned that it is known that either ##\pi + e## or ##e\pi## is transcendental, indicating some existing knowledge in the area.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the transcendental nature of ##e\pi## and ##e + \pi##, with multiple competing views and ongoing uncertainty regarding their classification.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the lack of detailed checks on the applicability of transcendence theorems to the numbers in question, as well as the unresolved status of whether certain combinations of these numbers are transcendental.

chwala
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TL;DR
A number is called an algebraic number if it is a solution of a polynomial equation ##a_0 z^n+a_1z^{n-1} + ... a_{n-1}z + a_n =0## where ##a_0,a_1 ...a_n## are integers...otherwise transcendental.
My question is [following the example on the attachment which is apparently clear to me].
1. Are the numbers ##eπ## and ##e+ π## Transcendental?
2. Algebraic numbers can also be rational and not necessarily integers? is that correct?
 

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All rational numbers are algebraic: n/m is the solution of mz - n = 0.
 
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chwala said:
TL;DR Summary: A number is called an algebraic number if it is a solution of a polynomial equation ##a_0 z^n+a_1z^{n-1} + ... a_{n-1}z + a_n =0## where ##a_0,a_1 ...a_n## are integers...otherwise transcendental.

My question is [following the example on the attachment which is apparently clear to me].
1. Are the numbers ##eπ## and ##e+ π## Transcendental?
Presumably. The standard theorems about transcendency don't apply to them, but I haven't checked in detail. More interesting is the question: Who cares? These numbers do not occur naturally and I haven't seen any theorem that needed to know whether ##\mathbb{Q}[e,\pi ]## is of transcendental degree one or two. I guess literally nobody will expect it to be one.

chwala said:
2. Algebraic numbers can also be rational and not necessarily integers? is that correct?
##\mathbb{Z}\subsetneq \mathbb{Q} \subsetneq \mathbb{A}\subsetneq \mathbb{C}## if ##\mathbb{A}## is the field of all algebraic numbers over the rationals.
 
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What i would add on this is that ##e## and ## π## are irrational thus we cannot solve for them in a given equation say,

##z-e- π=0##

as is the case with algebraic terms in any given polynomial.
 
chwala said:
What i would add on this is that ##e## and ## π## are irrational thus we cannot solve for them in a given equation say,

##z-e- π=0## as is the case with polynomials.
You must be careful. ##\pi, -\pi## and ##\pi^{-1}## are transcendent, but neither is ##(\pi)+(-\pi)## nor ##(\pi)\cdot (\pi^{-1}).##
 
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chwala said:
What i would add on this is that ##e## and ## π## are irrational
So is ## \sqrt 2 ## (but it is not of course transcendental, by definition).
fresh_42 said:
You must be careful. ##\pi, -\pi## and ##\pi^{-1}## are transcendent, but neither is ##(\pi)+(-\pi)## nor ##(\pi)\cdot (\pi^{-1}).##
And nor is ## e^{i \pi} ##.
 
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I believe it is an open problem: are ##\frac{\pi}{e}, e\pi, e+\pi## irrational? Transcendental?
See no.22

It is known that either ##\pi+e## or ##e\pi## is transcendental.
If both are algebraic, then ##(\pi+e)^2 - 4e\pi## is algebraic. So, ##\pi-e## is algebraic, which implies
<br /> \frac{1}{2}((\pi+e) - (\pi-e)) = e<br />
is algebraic, a contradiction.
 
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