This is a homework problem for my Real Analysis course and I am having trouble getting started in the right direction. I understand the definition of the set of rational numbers and how R−Q is the set of irrational numbers, but I am having trouble making the leap to where q+x is an element of the set of irrational numbers. Is there something that I'm missing?
I started with a,b∈Q where either a=0 or b=0 which then gives us either a+b=a or a+b=b. We know from this that a+b∈Q. It's the next part I'm struggling with.
Answer
You know q is rational, so you can write q=ab for some integers a,b where b≠0.
You also know that x is irrational, so you cannot write x as the ratio of two integers.
You need to show that q+x is irrational. Suppose q+x is rational, for the sake of contradiction.
Then, you can write q+x=cd for some integers c,d where d≠0.
What does this tell you about x?
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