Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental

Theorem of Arithmetic

Topic : Questions Discussed in

Class

1. If 7 divides 14 , then 7 should definitely divide 14.

2

[1 mark]

 A. True

 B. False
Solution:

The correct option is A.

[1 mark]

2. If s divides 20 , then s divides 20 also.

2

[1 mark]

 A. True

 B. False

 C. Cannot say
Solution:

The correct option is C.

[1 mark]

The Fundamental theorem of arithmetic, it states that, if 𝒑 divides a ,

2

then 𝒑 divides 𝒂, where 𝒂 is a "positive integer " and 𝒑 is a prime number.

Here, 𝒑 = 𝐬 and 𝒂 = 20
According to above theorem, the above statement is not always true.
Because we don’t know whether 𝐬 is prime or not.

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 Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental
Theorem of Arithmetic

3. Prove that √3 is an irrational number.

[4 marks]
Solution:

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 Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental
Theorem of Arithmetic

4. Prove that √2 + √3 is an irrational.

[2 marks]
Solution:

Let us assume √2 + √3 is rational.

Let √2 + √3 = 𝑎, where 𝑎 is rational.
∴√2 = a − √3
[0.5 marks]

After squaring both sides, we get,

2
2 = a + 3 − 2a√3
2
(a +1)
∴√3 = 2a

[1 mark]
2
(a +1)

Therefore, √3 = 2a
, which is a contradiction as the RHS is a
rational while √3 is an irrational.
Hence,√2 + √3 is an irrational.
[0.5 marks]

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 Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental
Theorem of Arithmetic

5. The number (1 + 2√5)(1 − 2√5) is a:

[1 mark]

 A. positive integer

 B. rational number

 C. irrational number

 D. even number

Solution:

The correct option is B.

[1 mark]

We know that,
2 2
(a + b)(a − b) = a − b

So,
2
(1 + 2√5)(1 − 2√5) = 1 − (2√5)

(1 + 2√5)(1 − 2√5) = 1 − 20 = −19

∴−19 is a rational number.

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 Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental
Theorem of Arithmetic

6. Prove that the following are irrationals:

(i) , (ii) 7√5
1

√2

[3 marks]
[NCERT]
[Proof by Contradiction]
Solution:

(i)
Let us assume that 1
is a rational number.
√2

Then, , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are coprime.

1 a
=
√2 b

∴√2 × a = b
b
∴√2 = a

Since 𝑏 and 𝑎 are integers, is a rational number and so, √2 is rational.

b

But we know that √2 is irrational.

So, our assumption was wrong.
Therefore, is an irrational number.
1

√2

[1.5 marks]

(ii)
Let us assume that 7√5 is a rational number.
Then, 7√5 = , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are coprime.
a

∴7√5 b = a
a
∴√5 = 7b

Since, 𝑎, 7, and 𝑏 are integers, so, a

7b
is a rational number.
This means √5 is rational.
But this contradicts the fact that √5 is irrational. So, our assumption was
wrong.
Therefore, 7√5 is an irrational number.

​[1.5 marks]

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 Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental
Theorem of Arithmetic

7. Which of the following numbers is not irrational?

[1 mark]
[Irrational Numbers]

 A. 5 + √2

 B. 5 − √2

 C. 5 + √3

 D. 5 + √9

Solution:

The correct option is D.

[1 mark]

We know that, √2, √3 are irrational numbers.

So, if we add any number to √2, or √3, the resulting number will also be
irrartional.

Also, √9 = 3 is not an irrational number.

Hence, 5 + √9 = 5 + 3 = 8 is not irrational.

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 Real Numbers:Application of Fundamental
Theorem of Arithmetic

8. √2, √3, and√5 are proved irrational by _____.

[1 mark]
[Irrational Numbers]

 A. rationalisation

 B. contradiction

 C. expansion

 D. factorisation
Solution:

The correct option is B.

[1 mark]

√2, √3, and√5 are proved irrational by contradiction.

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