$f_1, f_2 : \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ nonconstant, continuous, with period $1, \sqrt{2}$, respectively, then $f_1 + f_2$ is not periodic I've been working on this problem for several hours, but I keep getting stuck. Suppose $f_1, f_2 : \mathbb{R} \rightarrow \mathbb{R}$ periodic with period $1, \sqrt{2}$, respectively, and that each of $f_1, f_2$ is nonconstant, continuous. Then $f_1 + f_2$ is not periodic.
My thoughts so far:
Suppose $p$ is the period of $f_1 + f_2$. I want to use the fact that $\{n\sqrt{2}\}$ is dense in $\mathbb{R}/(x \sim x+p)$ to come up with a contradiction. I've tried numerous paths, which would take forever to write up. Now I'm just hoping to find the solution. I can provide more of my attempt if necessary. 
 A: Let us show the following property : if $f_1$ has period $T_1 > 0$,
$f_2$ has period $T_2 > 0$, $f_1$ and $f_2$ are both continuous and
nonconstant, and $(T_1,T_2)$ is linearly independent over $\mathbb Q$,
then $f=f_1+f_2$ cannot be periodic.
Your question is the case $T_1=1,T_2=\sqrt{2}$.
Suppose by contradiction that  $f$ has period $T>0$.
If $T$ is a rational multiple of $T_1$, then there are positive integers
$a$ and $b$ such that $aT=bT_1$. Let us call $S$ the number appearing on both sides
of this equality. Then $f$ and $f_1$ are both $S$-periodic ;
so is $f_2=f-f_1$. 
  Then $f_2$ has two ${\mathbb Q}$-linearly independent periods and is 
  continuous, which is possible only if $f_2$ is constant, contradicting the hypothesis.
So $T$ is not a rational multiple of $T_1$. Similarly, $T$ is not a 
rational multiple of $T_2$.
By the property shown in this MSE question, we deduce that
$$
\lim_{n\to+\infty}\frac{\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{n} f(x+kT_1)}{n}=
\int_{0}^{T} f(t) dt \tag{1} 
$$  
But $f=f_1+f_2$ and
$$
\frac{\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{n} f_1(x+kT_1)}{n}=f_1(x) , \ \ 
\lim_{n\to+\infty}\frac{\displaystyle \sum_{k=1}^{n} f_2(x+kT_1)}{n}=
\int_{0}^{T_2} f_2(t) dt \tag{2} 
$$  
This implies that
$$
\int_{0}^{T} f(t) dt = f_1(x)+ \int_{0}^{T_2} f_2(t) dt \tag{3}
$$
which contradicts the fact that $f_1$ is nonconstant. This finishes the
proof.
