Prove that the following number is irrational: $\sqrt{11}$

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Assume,to the contrary,that $\sqrt{11}$ is a rational number.
Then,there exist coprime integers $a$ and $b$ $(b \neq 0)$ such that $\sqrt{11} = \frac{a}{b}$.
Squaring both sides,we get $11 = \frac{a^2}{b^2}$,which implies $a^2 = 11b^2$.
This means $a^2$ is divisible by $11$. Since $11$ is a prime number,$a$ must also be divisible by $11$.
Let $a = 11k$ for some integer $k$.
Substituting this into the equation,we get $(11k)^2 = 11b^2$,which simplifies to $121k^2 = 11b^2$,or $b^2 = 11k^2$.
This implies $b^2$ is divisible by $11$,and consequently,$b$ is divisible by $11$.
Since both $a$ and $b$ are divisible by $11$,they have a common factor $11$,which contradicts our assumption that $a$ and $b$ are coprime.
Therefore,our assumption is false,and $\sqrt{11}$ is an irrational number.

Explore More

Similar Questions

State whether the following rational number has a terminating decimal expansion or not. If it does,find it: $\frac{19}{8}$

Find the $g.c.d.$ (Greatest Common Divisor) of $75$ and $243$ using Euclid's division algorithm.

Which of the following groups correctly matches the data of Part $I$ with the data of Part $II$?
Part $I$ Part $II$
$1. \text{l.c.m.}(8, 16, 24)$ $a. 36$
$2. \text{g.c.d.}(8, 16, 24)$ $b. 48$
$3. \text{l.c.m.}(6, 12, 18)$ $c. 8$
$4. \text{g.c.d.}(6, 12, 18)$ $d. 12$
$e. 6$

Difficult
View Solution

Express $5005$ as a product of prime factors.

$A$ sweet seller has $420$ Kaju burfis and $130$ Badam burfis. He wants to stack them in such a way that each stack carries the same number of items and they take up the least area of the tray. What is the maximum number of burfis that can be placed in each stack for this purpose?

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo