Irrational Numbers

Irrational numbers are real numbers that cannot be written as a simple fraction or ratio. In simple words, the irrational numbers are those numbers those are not rational. Hippasus, a Greek philosopher and a Pythagorean, discovered the first evidence of irrational numbers 5th century BC. However, his theory was not accepted.

Irrational numbers can’t be written as p/q form (ratio), where the denominator, q is not zero (q ≠ 0).

Common Examples of Irrational Numbers

Few examples of irrational numbers are given below:

π (pi), the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, is an irrational number. It has a decimal value of 3.1415926535⋅⋅⋅⋅ which doesn’t stop at any point.
√x is irrational for any integer x, where x is not a perfect square.

In a right triangle with a base length of 1 unit, the hypotenuse is √2, which is irrational. (√2 = 1⋅414213⋅⋅⋅⋅)

Euler’s number, e = 2⋅718281⋅⋅⋅⋅
Golden ratio, φ = 1.6180339⋅⋅⋅⋅

Given below are some popular irrational numbers.

List of Irrational Numbers

Number	value
Pi (π)	3.1415926535⋅⋅⋅⋅
Euler’s Number (e)	2⋅718281⋅⋅⋅⋅
Golden ratio, φ	1.6180339⋅⋅⋅⋅

Let us solve an example

${\dfrac{5\sqrt{2+4}}{\sqrt{3}}}$

Solution:

${\begin{aligned}\dfrac{5\sqrt{2+4}}{\sqrt{3}}\\ \simeq \dfrac{5\sqrt{6}}{\sqrt{3}}\end{aligned}}$
= ${ 5\sqrt{2} }$

Symbol of Irrational Numbers

Irrational numbers are universally represented by the alphabet ‘P’. The universal symbols for rational numbers is ‘Q’, real numbers is ‘R’.

Properties

Are real numbers only
Decimal expansion is non-terminating (continues endlessly)
Addition of a rational and irrational number gives an irrational number as the sum; a + b = irrational number, here a = rational number, b = irrational number
Multiplication of a rational and irrational number may give a rational number as the product; a × b = irrational number, here a = rational number, b = irrational number
Sum or product of 2 irrational numbers may give an irrational number; √2 × √2 = 2.
The Least common factor (LCM) for 2 irrational numbers may or may not exist

Let us solve some examples to understand the concept better.

π × π

Solution:

Let us see if π × π = rational or irrational
π × π
= π²
= irrational, ∵ π is irrational

√7 × √7

Solution:

√7 × √7
= 7
= rational

Show that √7 + √5 is irrational.

Solution:

Let us assume that √7 + √5 is rational
If √7 + √5 is rational,
Then, ${\dfrac{7-5}{\sqrt{7}+\sqrt{5}}=\sqrt{7}-\sqrt{5} }$ , implying √7 – √5 is also rational
(√7 + √5) – (√7 – √5)
= 2√5, (implies 2√5 is rational)
Hence, ${2\sqrt{5}\times \dfrac{1}{2}}$
= √5 is also rational. But this is a contradiction
Hence, we get the proof of irrational numbers by contradiction

Identifying Irrational Numbers

We already have learnt that irrational numbers are real numbers which cannot be represented in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers, and q ≠ 0, and also can’t be simplified to a closed decimal value.

Taking √5 as an example,

It cannot be represented in the form of a fraction

It cannot be simplified either. Its value is 2.236067⋅⋅⋅⋅ and it is not a closed decimal value.

Thus, √5 is irrational.

Rational Numbers and Irrational Numbers

Rational numbers are numbers that can be expressed in the form of a fraction (p/q) or ratio.

Given below the differences between rational and irrational numbers in a table.

Rational vs Irrational Numbers

Irrational Numbers	Rational Numbers
Cannot be expressed in the form of a fraction (p/q)	Can be expressed in the form of a fraction (p/q)
The decimal expansion is non-terminating (continues endlessly) and non-recurring (with no group of digits repeating) at any point	The decimal expansion is terminating (ends at some point) or non-terminating recurring (repeating)

Last modified on January 13th, 2022