# Some theorem regarding rational numbers

1. Apr 28, 2004

### Ed Quanta

If y>x where x and y are both elements of the reals, but x is also irrational, I must prove that there is a rational number z such that x<z<y. I can only show this is true when x is rational. How do you add something to an irrational number to make it rational?

2. Apr 28, 2004

### honestrosewater

Warning- I'm not an expert.
I think you can use two theorems to prove this.

1a) if r is in Q, and x is irrational, then r+x is irrational.
1b) if r is in Q, r [not=] 0, and x is irrational, then r*x is irrational.

1a) assume r+x is in Q. Since Q is closed under addition and (-r) is in Q if r is in Q, then (r+x)+(-r)=[r+(-r)]+x=0+x=x is in Q, a contradiction.
1b) same, substituting multiplication for addition.

2a) If x and y are in R, and x>0, then there is a positive integer n such that n*x>y.
2b) If x and y are in R, and x<y, then there exists a p in Q such that x<p<y.

2a) hint- prove by contradiction using least upper bound property of R.
2b) hint- since x<y, y-x>0 and you can use 2a).

Combine the two, assuming x is irrational and y is rational.

I haven't worked this out yet, but 2) is proved in my book (so you know they are theorems), it might give you a start until an expert comes along :)
Happy thoughts
Rachel

Last edited: Apr 28, 2004
3. Apr 28, 2004

### honestrosewater

Since R is a field, add its additive inverse to get (rational) 0.
x+(-x)=0

Maybe this isn't what you wanted.

4. Apr 28, 2004

### matt grime

take y an irrational, let [y] denote the floor function.

what is [y] (not a trick) what about y-[y], call this a? what about 10a? and [10a]?

now take y - [y] -[10a]/10 and floot that, and so on

can you figureout how to make the decimal approximation of y? what is the difference at the r'th stage in theis construction? can you make this less than y-x?

5. Apr 28, 2004

### Ed Quanta

What is a floor function? And how do I know that I can use it?

6. Apr 28, 2004

### honestrosewater

The floor function [y] gives the largest integer less than or equal to y. ex.
y=13, [y]=13
y=1.3, [y]=1
y=(-1.3), [y]=(-2)

You can use it because there is an integer less than or equal to every real y.

7. Apr 28, 2004

### NateTG

Here's a nice easy one:

Now, $$y>x \rightarrow y-x > 0$$. Let's let $$\epsilon=y-x$$.

Let's say that x has the decimal expansion $$n.d_1d_2d_3...$$, and
then let $$r=0.f_1f_2f_3...$$

where

$$f_i=0$$ if $$10^{-i+1} > \epsilon$$
and
$$f_i=9-d_i$$ otherwise.

Then $$x+r$$ is rational because it will end in $$\bar{9}$$, and
$$0 \leq r < \epsilon$$. so
$$x \leq x + r < x + \epsilon \rightarrow x \leq x+r < y$$
Which is what you wanted to prove.
You can make the $$\leq$$ strict if you note that x is irrational, and $$x+r$$ is rational, thus they cannot be equal.