Proof that Log2 of 5 is irrational

  • Thread starter Thread starter Pascal's Pal
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Irrational Proof
Pascal's Pal
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Prove that log2 of 5 is irrational.

Homework Equations



None.

The Attempt at a Solution



I just had a glimpse of the actual solution, but I'm wondering if mine would work too.

2^(a/b) = 5

square both sides...

2^(2a/b) =25

2 = 25^(b/2a)

(b/2a) = log25 of 2

b = 2aLog25 of 2

b is even...

and through a similar process...by taking the square root of both sides of "2^(a/b) = 5" you can arrive at a being even too. So how can they both be even etc etc.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
\log_2 5 = a/b so 2^{a/b} = 5 \implies 2^a = 5^b. Now use unique factorization.
 
Kummer said:
\log_2 5 = a/b so 2^{a/b} = 5 \implies 2^a = 5^b. Now use unique factorization.

But does mine work?
 
Kummer said:
\log_2 5 = a/b so 2^{a/b} = 5 \implies 2^a = 5^b. Now use unique factorization.

What is unique factorization ?
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top