Showing two certain sets have no elements in common

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Homework Statement


Let x and y be irrational numbers such that x-y is also irrational.
Let A={x+r|r is in Q} and B={y+r|r is in Q}
Prove that the sets A and B have no elements in common.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Since x and y are in A and B, then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex] is irrational.

Using contradiction, assume their sum is z and z is an element of A[itex]\cap[/itex]B

x-y=z

Then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex]=z

Since z is in both A and B, then z can also be said to be x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]+y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex]

Then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex]=x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]+y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex]

Solving for the right side,

0=2(y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex])

But since the sum is irrational and 0 is not irrational, A and B cannot contain the same elements.


Am I thinking about this correctly?
 
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k3k3 said:

Homework Statement


Let x and y be irrational numbers such that x-y is also irrational.
Let A={x+r|r is in Q} and B={y+r|r is in Q}
Prove that the sets A and B have no elements in common.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Since x and y are in A and B, then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex] is irrational.
x and y are NOT in A and B, [itex]x+ r_1[/itex] and [itex]y+ r_2[/itex] are. And, from that, it follows that they are rational numbers so the difference is rational, not irrational.

Using contradiction, assume their sum is z and z is an element of A[itex]\cap[/itex]B

x-y=z

Then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex]=z

Since z is in both A and B, then z can also be said to be x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]+y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex]

Then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex]=x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]+y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex]

Solving for the right side,

0=2(y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex])

But since the sum is irrational and 0 is not irrational, A and B cannot contain the same elements.


Am I thinking about this correctly?
 
k3k3 said:

Homework Statement


Let x and y be irrational numbers such that x-y is also irrational.
Let A={x+r|r is in Q} and B={y+r|r is in Q}
Prove that the sets A and B have no elements in common.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Since x and y are in A and B, then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex] is irrational.

Using contradiction, assume their sum is z and z is an element of A[itex]\cap[/itex]B

x-y=z

Then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex]=z

Since z is in both A and B, then z can also be said to be x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]+y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex]

Then x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]-y-r[itex]_{2}[/itex]=x+r[itex]_{1}[/itex]+y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex]

Solving for the right side,

0=2(y+r[itex]_{2}[/itex])

But since the sum is irrational and 0 is not irrational, A and B cannot contain the same elements.


Am I thinking about this correctly?

No, if z is in both A and B, then z=x+r1=y+r2; then you take the subtraction ...
 
Did I show that x+r1-(y+r2)=x+r1-(y+r2)?