Definition:Irrational Number

Definition

A number which is not rational is irrational.

That is, an irrational number is one that can not be expressed in the form $\displaystyle \frac p q$ such that $p$ and $q$ are both integers.

The fact that such numbers exist was known to the ancient Greeks.

Approximation by Decimal Expansion

From its definition, it is not possible to express an irrational number precisely in terms of a fraction.

From Decimal Expansion of Irrational Number, it is not possible to express it precisely by a decimal expansion either.

However, it is possible to express it to an arbitrary level of precision.

Let $x$ be an irrational number whose decimal expansion is $\left[{n.d_1 d_2 d_3 \ldots}\right]_{10}$.

Then:

$\displaystyle n + \sum_{j=1}^k \frac {d_j}{10^j} \le x < n + \sum_{j=1}^k \frac {d_j}{10^j} + \frac 1 {10^k}$

for all $k \in \Z: k \ge 1$.

Then all one needs to do is state that $x$ is expressed as accurate to $k$ decimal places.

However, it is usually more complicated than this - see Rounding.

Geometrical Definition

As Euclid defined it:

With these hypotheses, it is proved that there exist straight lines infinite in multitude which are commensurable and incommensurable respectively, some on length only, and others in square also, with an assigned straight line. Let then the assigned straight line be called rational, and those straight lines which are commensurable with it, whether in length and in square or square only, rational, but those which are incommensurable with it irrational.

And let the square on the assigned straight line be called rational and those areas which are commensurable with it rational, but those which are incommensurable with it irrational, and the straight lines which produce them irrational, that is, in case the areas are squares, the sides themselves, but in case they are any other rectilineal figures, the straight lines on which are described squares equal to them.

The Elements: Book X: Definitions $3$ and $4$

Sources

• K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach (1977)... (previous)... (next): $\S 1.2$
• K.G. Binmore: Mathematical Analysis: A Straightforward Approach (1977)... (previous)... (next): $\S 1.13$