MHB What Does It Mean for Expressions to Be Non-Integral and Non-Rational?

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Expressions are considered non-integral when they do not consistently yield integer values, as seen in the example $\frac{4y}{x}$, which fails to be integral in x unless x is specifically 1 or a common factor. Non-rational expressions, like $3x\sqrt{y}z^3$, do not always produce rational values; in this case, y must be a perfect square of a rational number for the expression to be rational. The distinction between integral and rational is crucial in understanding the behavior of algebraic expressions. Non-integral and non-rational expressions can lead to undefined or non-standard results in mathematical contexts. Understanding these concepts is essential for accurate mathematical analysis and problem-solving.
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can you explain what it means when they are not "Integral" and not "Rational"?

$\frac{4y}{x} = 4yx^{-1 }$ is not integral in x
$3x\sqrt{y}z^3$ not rational in y
 
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Drain Brain said:
can you explain what it means when they are not "Integral" and not "Rational"?

$\frac{4y}{x} = 4yx^{-1 }$ is not integral in x
$3x\sqrt{y}z^3$ not rational in y

To be integral, your expression needs to always give an integer value. If x is anything but 1 or a common factor of the top, then your first expression will not be integral.

To be rational, your expression needs to always give a rational (fractional) value. If y is anything but a perfect square of a rational number, then the second expression will not be rational.
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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