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Algebra 1
Course: Algebra 1 > Unit 15
Lesson 3: Proofs concerning irrational numbersIrrational numbers: FAQ
Frequently asked questions about irrational numbers
What is an irrational number?
An irrational number is a real number that cannot be written as a ratio of two integers. In other words, it can't be written as a fraction where the numerator and denominator are both integers. Irrational numbers often show up as non-terminating, non-repeating decimals.
Learn more with our Intro to rational & irrational numbers video.
Where do irrational numbers come up in the real world?
Irrational numbers show up all over the place! For example, the number pi is irrational and it's key for working with circles. The square root of 2, another irrational number, is important for understanding right triangles.
How can we tell if a number is rational or irrational?
If we can write the number as a fraction of two integers, then it's rational. Otherwise, it's irrational.
Practice with our Classify numbers: rational & irrational exercise.
Are there any rules for adding or multiplying rational and irrational numbers?
Yes! When we add or multiply two rational numbers, we'll always get a rational number as the result. But when we add or multiply a rational number with an irrational number, we'll end up with an irrational number.
Learn more with our Proof: sum & product of two rationals is rational
video.
Learn more with our Proof: product of rational & irrational is irrational video.
Learn more with our Proof: sum of rational & irrational is irrational video.
What do we know about the sum and product of two irrational numbers?
There are a few things to keep in mind. For one, the sum of two irrational numbers is not always irrational. For example, square root of, 2, end square root, plus, square root of, 18, end square root, equals, 4, square root of, 2, end square root, which is another irrational number. However, square root of, 2, end square root, plus, left parenthesis, minus, square root of, 2, end square root, right parenthesis, equals, 0, which is rational.
Likewise, the product of two irrational numbers is not always irrational. For example, square root of, 2, end square root, times, square root of, 2, end square root, equals, 2, which is rational.
Learn more with our Sums and products of irrational numbers video.
Want to join the conversation?
what do you get if you sqrt a negative number?(4 votes)
You can't take the square root of a negative number. It will result in an imaginary number (which sounds made up, but is 100% real).
The imaginary number is denoted by i, and i^2 = -1.
(So the √-4 is 2i)
You can look at an intro to it here: https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/x2ec2f6f830c9fb89:complex/x2ec2f6f830c9fb89:imaginary/v/introduction-to-i-and-imaginary-numbers(8 votes)
What do you mean when you say "write the number as a fraction of two integers?" Can you define integers and explain how to define whether or not a number is rational or irrational?(2 votes)
Integer - a term that includes whole (counting) numbers (such as 1, 2, 3...) and their opposites (negatives; -1, -2, -3...), plus zero. Rational numbers can be written as a fraction; irrational numbers can't - for example, examples of rational numbers would be 0.9, 3/4, or 7, and irrational numbers include numbers that go on forever, such as pi (π) or the square roots of 2 or 3 (√2 and √3). "If we can write the number as a fraction of two integers, then it's rational" basically means that rational numbers can be written as fractions, with the numerator or denominator being integers (this does NOT include decimals).(4 votes)
The sum of two irrational numbers is SOMETIMES irrational.(1 vote)
Most of the time it is irrational unless they are additive inverses such as √3 + )-√3) = 0.(3 votes)
- irrational is a number that goes on forever like 3.14 rational is a number that can be turned into a fraction(2 votes)
So, if I'm correct, then when you multiply an irrational number by a rational number, you will never get an exact number because you can never find the value of the irrational number. If so, then when do we ever get irrational numbers and when do we actually need to use these in real life?(2 votes)- When you use irrational numbers, such as pi, you usually round to a certain decimal place. _e_ is an interesting example of a common irrational number. It is found in spirals, like the head of a sunflower.(1 vote)
- someone already asked my question, this is very helpful! thanks!(2 votes)
- what ifit was a negitive(1 vote)
