QuestionIs a rational number? Provide your reasoning.
Studdy Solution
STEP 1
Assumptions1. A rational number is a number that can be expressed as a fraction where and are integers and .
. An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers.
3. is the number we are examining.
STEP 2
We need to determine if can be expressed as a fraction of two integers.
STEP 3
First, consider the prime factorization of42, which is .
STEP 4
A perfect square (a square of an integer) has an even number of each of its prime factors.
STEP 5
Examine the prime factors of42. We see that each prime factor (2,3, and7) appears only once, which is an odd number of times.
STEP 6
Since42 does not have an even number of each of its prime factors, it is not a perfect square.
STEP 7
Therefore, cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers, which means it is not a rational number.
So, is an irrational number.
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