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
Question 5
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 m and n such that m=n, but their product mn is rational. Consider:
Let m=2 and n=22. Both m and n are irrational numbers (since roots of non-perfect squares and non-rational multiples represent irrational numbers). Now calculate:
mn=2×22=22=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∣+3 is a V-shaped graph that opens upwards. The vertex of the graph is located at the point (0, 3).
When x<0, y=−x+3.
When x≥0, y=x+3.
To sketch:
Plot the vertex at (0, 3).
Draw the line y=−x+3 for x<0 (sloping downwards).
Draw the line y=x+3 for x≥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 x:
Case 1: When x≥0:
Here, ∣x∣=x. Therefore, the left side becomes x+3.
For ∣x+3∣, since x+3≥3>0, we get ∣x+3∣=x+3.
Thus, x+3≥x+3 is always true.
Case 2: When x<0:
Here, ∣x∣=−x. Therefore, the left side becomes −x+3.
For ∣x+3∣, we need to evaluate this term based on whether x+3≥0 or x+3<0:
If x+3≥0, then ∣x+3∣=x+3, leading to:
−x+3≥x+3⇒0≥2x⇒x≤0, which holds.
If x+3<0, then ∣x+3∣=−x−3, leading to:
−x+3≥−x−3⇒3≥−3, which is clearly true.
Overall, in both cases, ∣x∣+3≥∣x+3∣ holds for all values of x.