Question

Explain why any of the four operations (+x +) placed between the two terms 5 and-3/(radical sign) 8 will result in an irrational number. Please help me!!! It’s due today

Answer 1

To answer this question we will have to understand the nature of $\sqrt{8}$.

$\sqrt{8}$ can be rewritten as: $\sqrt{2\times 2\times 2} =2\sqrt{2}$. Now, $\sqrt{2}$ is an irrational number and thus any of the four operations of addition, multiplication, subtraction or division placed anywhere between any of these terms will always result in an irrational number.

The only way irrational numbers can be made rational is by dividing or multiplying the given irrational number by the same irrational number.