Sunday, 22 May 2016

roots - Proof that sqrt[m]a+sqrt[n]b is irrational

Is there a way to prove that ma+nb (ma and nb are irrational); a,b,m,nN; m,n2; is irrational without using the theorem mentioned in Sum of irrational numbers, a basic algebra problem?



If one of m or n is 2, then a polynomial with integer coefficients can be easily constructed, and rational root theorem (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rational_root_theorem) can be used to prove that it's irrational. For example, if x=2+33:



(x2)3=x33x22+6x22=3x3+6x3=2(3x2+2)x6+12x46x3+36x236x+9=2(9x4+12x2+4)x66x46x3+12x236x+5=0



By evaluating the polynomial for ±1 and ±5, it can be verified that x is irrational. However, if neither of m or n is 2, then constructing a polynomial with integer coefficients seems impossible (if not very tedious). Let's say x=32+43. Is there any way to prove that this is irrational without using the above-mentioned theorem?

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