1. Classify the following numbers as rational or irrational:
(i)
Answer. is irrational, and subtracting an irrational from a rational (2) gives an irrational. So is irrational.
(ii)
Answer. , which is , so rational.
(iii)
Answer. Simplify:
so it is rational.
(iv)
Answer. is irrational; is therefore irrational.
(v)
Answer. is irrational; any nonzero rational multiple of an irrational is irrational. So is irrational.
2. Simplify each of the following expressions:
(i)
Answer. Expand:
(ii)
Answer. Use :
(iii)
Answer. Use :
(iv)
Answer. Use :
3. Recall, π is defined as the ratio of the circumference (say ) of a circle to its diameter (say ), i.e. . This seems to contradict the fact that is irrational. How will you resolve this contradiction?
Answer. There is no contradiction. Defining as the ratio does not force to be rational — and are real numbers (lengths). A ratio of two real numbers can be irrational (and in fact the ratio of circumference to diameter for a true circle is the particular real number , which is irrational). In short: being a ratio of lengths does not imply rationality.
4. Represent on the number line.
(Note: the printed exercise shows “Represent 9 3. on the number line.” I interpret this as the cube root ; if you meant something else, tell me and I’ll adjust.)
Answer. is the unique positive real such that . We know and , so lies between 2 and 3. Numerically,
(Computed using Newton–Raphson: iteration Starting with gives rapid convergence: , , , ….)
To place it on the number line: mark 2 and 3, then mark the point about units to the right of 2 (or use a compass/scale to position the coordinate ). For a geometric construction one may use higher-level tools (or iterative numerical construction) — the decimal approximation above is sufficient for plotting.
5. Rationalise the denominators of the following:
(i)
Answer.
(ii)
Answer. Multiply by the conjugate :
(iii)
Answer. Multiply numerator and denominator by :
(iv)
Answer. Multiply by :
