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If $m$ and $n$ are irrational numbers, where $m \neq n$, then $mn$ is also irrational - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 2

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If $m$ and $n$ are irrational numbers, where $m \neq n$, then $mn$ is also irrational. Disprove this statement by means of a counter example. (b) (i) Sketch the gr... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:If $m$ and $n$ are irrational numbers, where $m \neq n$, then $mn$ is also irrational - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 2

Step 1

Disprove this statement by means of a counter example.

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Answer

To disprove the statement, we need to find a pair of irrational numbers mm and nn such that mnm \neq n, but their product mnmn is rational. Consider:

Let m=2m = \sqrt{2} and n=22n = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}. Both mm and nn are irrational numbers (since roots of non-perfect squares and non-rational multiples represent irrational numbers). Now calculate:

mn=2×22=22=1,mn = \sqrt{2} \times \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = \frac{2}{2} = 1, which is rational.

Thus, this counterexample disproves the statement.

Step 2

Sketch the graph of $y = |x| + 3$

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Answer

The graph of y=x+3y = |x| + 3 is a V-shaped graph that opens upwards. The vertex of the graph is located at the point (0, 3).

  • When x<0x < 0, y=x+3y = -x + 3.
  • When x0x \geq 0, y=x+3y = x + 3.

To sketch:

  1. Plot the vertex at (0, 3).
  2. Draw the line y=x+3y = -x + 3 for x<0x < 0 (sloping downwards).
  3. Draw the line y=x+3y = x + 3 for x0x \geq 0 (sloping upwards).

This will create a symmetrical graph about the y-axis.

Step 3

Explain why $|x| + 3 \geq |x + 3|$ for all real values of $x$

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Answer

To explain why this inequality holds, we can analyze two cases for xx:

  1. Case 1: When x0x \geq 0:

    • Here, x=x|x| = x. Therefore, the left side becomes x+3x + 3.
    • For x+3|x + 3|, since x+33>0x + 3 \geq 3 > 0, we get x+3=x+3|x + 3| = x + 3.
    • Thus, x+3x+3x + 3 \geq x + 3 is always true.
  2. Case 2: When x<0x < 0:

    • Here, x=x|x| = -x. Therefore, the left side becomes x+3-x + 3.
    • For x+3|x + 3|, we need to evaluate this term based on whether x+30x + 3 \geq 0 or x+3<0x + 3 < 0:
      • If x+30x + 3 \geq 0, then x+3=x+3|x + 3| = x + 3, leading to: x+3x+302xx0,-x + 3 \geq x + 3\Rightarrow 0 \geq 2x\Rightarrow x \leq 0, which holds.
      • If x+3<0x + 3 < 0, then x+3=x3|x + 3| = -x - 3, leading to: x+3x333,-x + 3 \geq -x - 3\Rightarrow 3 \geq -3, which is clearly true.

Overall, in both cases, x+3x+3|x| + 3 \geq |x + 3| holds for all values of xx.

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