Geometric Proofs of the Irrationality of Square-Roots for Select Integers

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Geometric Proofs of the Irrationality of Square-Roots for Select Integers
Authors: Zongyun Chen, Steven J. Miller, Chenghan Wu
Source: The Fibonacci Quarterly. :1-12
Publication Status: Preprint
Publisher Information: Informa UK Limited, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Subject Terms: Mathematics - History and Overview, History and Overview (math.HO), FOS: Mathematics
Description: This paper presents geometric proofs for the irrationality of square roots of select integers, extending classical approaches. Building on known geometric methods for proving the irrationality of sqrt(2), the authors explore whether similar techniques can be applied to other non-square integers. They begin by reviewing well-known results, such as Euclid's proof for the irrationality of sqrt(2), and discuss subsequent geometric extensions for sqrt(3), sqrt(5), and sqrt(6). The authors then introduce new geometric constructions, particularly using hexagons, to prove the irrationality of sqrt(6). Furthermore, the paper investigates the limitations and challenges of extending these geometric methods to triangular numbers. Through detailed geometric reasoning, the authors successfully generalize the approach to several square-free numbers and identify cases where the method breaks down. The paper concludes by inviting further exploration of geometric irrationality proofs for other integers, proposing potential avenues for future work.
11 pages, 8 figures
Document Type: Article
Language: English
ISSN: 2641-340X
0015-0517
DOI: 10.1080/00150517.2024.2442597
DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2410.14434
Access URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2410.14434
Rights: CC BY NC ND
Accession Number: edsair.doi.dedup.....ac6490484dd59963596e3ba0f2320c51
Database: OpenAIRE
Description
Abstract:This paper presents geometric proofs for the irrationality of square roots of select integers, extending classical approaches. Building on known geometric methods for proving the irrationality of sqrt(2), the authors explore whether similar techniques can be applied to other non-square integers. They begin by reviewing well-known results, such as Euclid's proof for the irrationality of sqrt(2), and discuss subsequent geometric extensions for sqrt(3), sqrt(5), and sqrt(6). The authors then introduce new geometric constructions, particularly using hexagons, to prove the irrationality of sqrt(6). Furthermore, the paper investigates the limitations and challenges of extending these geometric methods to triangular numbers. Through detailed geometric reasoning, the authors successfully generalize the approach to several square-free numbers and identify cases where the method breaks down. The paper concludes by inviting further exploration of geometric irrationality proofs for other integers, proposing potential avenues for future work.<br />11 pages, 8 figures
ISSN:2641340X
00150517
DOI:10.1080/00150517.2024.2442597