# How to prove that $n \sqrt{17}$ is irrational?

Prove that $$\sqrt{17}$$ is irrational. Subsequently, prove that $$n \sqrt{17}$$ is irrational too, for any natural number $$n \neq 0$$. Use the following lemma: Let p be a prime number; if $$p | a^2$$ then $$p | a$$ as well. I proved by contradiction that $$\sqrt{17}$$ is irrational, but I'm not sure how to prove that $$n \sqrt{17}$$ is irrational. I tried to prove it by contradiction as well, but I'm not sure if that's what I'm supposed to do. Is it easier to prove with induction?

• well for $n \neq 0$ of course. – Henno Brandsma Sep 27 '19 at 22:12
• Yes of course, I edited it, thanks! – Neri Sep 27 '19 at 22:18
• (The definition I learned for natural numbers doesn't include 0, so that's probably why they didn't specify that). – Neri Sep 27 '19 at 22:26

Suppose $$n\sqrt{17}$$ with $$n \in \mathbb{N}$$, is rational, then $$\sqrt{17}n=\frac{p}{q} \to \sqrt{17} = \frac{p}{nq}$$ with $$p,q \in \mathbb{Q}, n\cdot q \neq 0$$. Here is a contradiction since operations between rationals are always rationals, except division by zero. This show us that $$\frac{p}{nq} \in \mathbb{Q}$$, thus we are done.

I think the lemma is to show $$\sqrt{17}$$ is irrational.

Hint for the too part:

• $$n$$ is rational so $$\frac1n$$ is rational
• The product of two rational numbers is a rational number
• What is $$n\sqrt{17} \times \frac1n$$?

If $$\sqrt{17} = \frac{a}{b}$$ for $$\{ a, b \} \in \mathbb{Z}^+$$ where $$a$$ and $$b$$ are in reduced form, then

$$17 b^2 = a^2 .$$

The left side has an odd number of prime factors while the right side has an even number of prime factors.

According to the fundamental theorem of arithmetic (unique prime factorization), this equation cannot hold.

Thus the assumption that $$\sqrt{17}$$ is rational is false. QED.

Likewise suppose $$n \sqrt{17} = \frac{a}{b}$$.

Now $$17 n^2 b^2 = a^2$$. Again, the left hand side has an odd number of prime factors, and the right-hand side has an even number of prime factors. This can never happen. Therefore the assumption is false. QED.

• Thanks! But I already proved that part, I was just figuring out how to prove $n \sqrt{17}$ is irrational for any natural number $n$. – Neri Sep 27 '19 at 22:28
• @Neri: A simple extrapolation from my solution. (Please consult.) – David G. Stork Sep 27 '19 at 23:26
• Can you please explain how you know that the left side have an odd number of prime factors and the right side has an even numbers of prime factors? – Eduardo Sebastian Oct 29 '19 at 20:27
• @EduardoS: $a^2$ of course has an even number of prime factors. Add to that the single prime factor $17$ to get an odd number. – David G. Stork Oct 29 '19 at 20:31