# If p is prime, then its square root is irrational

## Homework Statement

Im trying to prove that if p is prime, then its square root is irrational.

## The Attempt at a Solution

Is a proof by contradiction a good way to do this?

All i can think of is suppose p is prime and √p is a/b,

p= (a^2)/ (b^2)
Is there any property i can exploit to go on or is should i attempt other methods of proof
(contrapositive, direct, induction?)

Related Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help News on Phys.org
Dick
Homework Helper

## Homework Statement

Im trying to prove that if p is prime, then its square root is irrational.

## The Attempt at a Solution

Is a proof by contradiction a good way to do this?

All i can think of is suppose p is prime and √p is a/b,

p= (a^2)/ (b^2)
Is there any property i can exploit to go on or is should i attempt other methods of proof
(contrapositive, direct, induction?)
You can assume a and b have no common factors, right? Go for a contradiction. a must be divisible by p. Can you show that?

attempt

I think we need to prove that no prime is square.

This makes sense in my head, but I can't seem to figure it out!

By the way, is there a theorem that says that square roots of non square numbers are irrational?

HallsofIvy
Homework Helper
Yes, "no prime is a square" is exactly what "if p is a prime then it is not a square" says. If you "can't seem to figure it out", then look at the specifice words of the definitions of "prime" and "square".

Then do an indirect proof as Dick suggested. Suppose there exist a prime, p, that is a "square". Then $$p= n^2$$ for some integer n.

1 person
I think its obvious that a prime number cant be a square of an integer (trivial by definition), but that does not imply it cannot be a square of a rational. The thing im trying to prove is that the square root of primes ,is not rational. Am i misunderstanding the logic ,overlooking or ignorant of something that i can use to advance in the proving?

D H
Staff Emeritus
What does the rational root theorem have to say about x2-p=0, where p is a prime number?

Dick