# Properties of Irrational and Rational Numbers [closed]

What is the properties that helps us when we are proving a number whether rational or irrational? It is better if you can give several properties.

If you can give links, that will helps too.

## closed as too broad by Hagen von Eitzen, Juniven, Rohan, Leucippus, user91500Feb 13 '17 at 4:47

Please edit the question to limit it to a specific problem with enough detail to identify an adequate answer. Avoid asking multiple distinct questions at once. See the How to Ask page for help clarifying this question. If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

1. If $x,y\in\mathbb{Q}$ then $x+y\in\mathbb{Q}$ and $xy\in\mathbb{Q}$

2. If $x\in\mathbb{Q}^\times$ then $x^{-1}\in\mathbb{Q}$

3. If $x\in\mathbb{Q}$ and $y\in\mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q}$ then $x+y\in\mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q}$

4. If $x\in\mathbb{Q}^\times$ and $y\in\mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q}$ then $xy\in\mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q}$

1) and 2) are straightforward. 3) and 4) are consequences of 1) and 2).

1. If $n\in\mathbb{N}^\times$, if $a_0,\cdots a_{n-1}$ are integers and if $\alpha$ is a real root of $P(X)=X^n+a_{n-1}X^{n-1}+\cdots+a_1X+a_0$ which is not an integer, then $\alpha\in\mathbb{R}-\mathbb{Q}$.

For example, let $\alpha=\sqrt2+\sqrt3$. We see that $\alpha^2=5+2\sqrt6$, thus $(\alpha^2-5)^2=24$, hence $\alpha$ is a root of :

$$P=X^4-10X^2+1$$

Since $\alpha\not\in\mathbb{Z}$ (which follows from trivial upper and lower bounds), we conclude that $\alpha$ is irrational.

• I like the fifth property, thanks for your answer. – Mathelogician Feb 12 '17 at 14:06