Difference of two irrational numbers

In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of x-y being rational when x and y are irrational, and the construction of a non-measurable set using equivalence relations and the axiom of choice. It is noted that x-y is rational when x and y are irrational with a difference of a rational number.
  • #1
ak416
122
0
Im wondering if its possible given x,y irrational, that x-y is rational (other than the case x=y). The reason I am asking this is that I am reading a book on measure theory and they try to construct a non measurable set and they start with an equivalence relation on [0,1} x~y if x-y is rational. Then they construct a set using the axiom of choice which contains exactly 1 element from each equivalence class. I know that the set of all rational numbers in [0,1) is an equivalence class, also each irrational number forms an equivalence class because for each irrational number x, x-x=0 (rational). Is there any other possibilities?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Let x be any irrational, and let y=x+r. (with r any rational number). Then y and x are irrational, and y-x is rational.
 
  • #3
that was simple :)
 

Related to Difference of two irrational numbers

1. What does it mean for two numbers to be irrational?

Irrational numbers are numbers that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. They are non-terminating and non-repeating decimals.

2. How do you find the difference of two irrational numbers?

To find the difference of two irrational numbers, you can simply subtract them as you would with any other numbers. However, the result will also be an irrational number.

3. Can the difference of two irrational numbers be rational?

No, the difference of two irrational numbers will always be irrational. This is because if the difference were rational, it could be expressed as a ratio of two integers, which would contradict the definition of irrational numbers.

4. Are there any rules or properties specific to the difference of two irrational numbers?

Yes, the difference of two irrational numbers follows the same rules and properties as the difference of any other numbers. For example, the difference of two irrational numbers is commutative and associative.

5. Can the difference of two irrational numbers be negative?

Yes, the difference of two irrational numbers can be negative. This simply means that the second number is larger than the first number, resulting in a negative difference.

Similar threads

Replies
7
Views
2K
  • General Math
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
736
Replies
85
Views
4K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • General Math
Replies
3
Views
5K
Replies
38
Views
3K
Back
Top