need help with a proof if f(b) = 0 and b is not an integer, then b is irrational
I do not even know where to start with this. this proof is for an abstract algebra course.
Suppose f(x) = xn + a1xn-1 + . . . + a1x + a0 where the coefficients a0,a1, . . . ,an-1 are integers.
prove: if f(b) = 0 and b is not an integer, then b is irrational.
Re: need help with a proof if f(b) = 0 and b is not an integer, then b is irrational
Re: need help with a proof if f(b) = 0 and b is not an integer, then b is irrational
Thank you for the starting point!!!
Re: need help with a proof if f(b) = 0 and b is not an integer, then b is irrational
suppose
with p,q integers with gcd(p,q) = 1.
then
.
then q divides pn, but gcd(p,q) = 1, so gcd(pn,q) = 1.
these two facts together imply q = 1, so p/q is an integer.