Is there a way to prove that m√a+n√b (m√a and n√b are irrational); a,b,m,n∈N; m,n≠2; 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+3√3:
(x−√2)3=x3−3x2√2+6x−2√2=3⟹x3+6x−3=√2(3x2+2)⟹x6+12x4−6x3+36x2−36x+9=2(9x4+12x2+4)⟹x6−6x4−6x3+12x2−36x+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=3√2+4√3. Is there any way to prove that this is irrational without using the above-mentioned theorem?
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