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If √2 = a/b is in lowest form, what does proving that both a and b are even show?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: The fraction cannot be in lowest form

The governing concept is proof by contradiction together with the meaning of lowest terms. Assume √2 = a/b, where a and b are integers, b is nonzero, and gcd(a,b)=1. Squaring gives a² = 2b². Thus a² is even, so a is even; write a=2k. Substitution gives 4k²=2b², hence b²=2k², so b is also even. Therefore 2 is a common factor of a and b, which contradicts gcd(a,b)=1. The fraction cannot therefore have been in lowest form, and the original rational assumption fails. Option A states this exact contradiction. The result does not imply that the denominator is zero, that √2 is an integer, or that a and b are equal.

Related tags

Number-SystemsLowest-TermsIrrationalityProof-By-ContradictionProof Of Irrationality Of Square Root 2 And Square Root 3Number SystemsMathematicsClass 9 Mcq

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