# [SOLVED]irrational and rational numbers

#### dwsmith

##### Well-known member
Show that there are infinitely many rational numbers between two different irrational numbers and vice versa.

So I started as such:
WLOG let $a,b$ be irrational numbers such that $a<b$. By theorem (not sure if there is a name for it), we know that there exist a rational number $x$ such that $a<x<b$.

If I can show there is another irrational between $a$ and $b$, I could then use the fact that between every two rational numbers there is a rational number and repeated applications would show that there are infinitely many.

#### Sudharaka

##### Well-known member
MHB Math Helper
Show that there are infinitely many rational numbers between two different irrational numbers and vice versa.

So I started as such:
WLOG let $a,b$ be irrational numbers such that $a<b$. By theorem (not sure if there is a name for it), we know that there exist a rational number $x$ such that $a<x<b$.

If I can show there is another irrational between $a$ and $b$, I could then use the fact that between every two rational numbers there is a rational number and repeated applications would show that there are infinitely many.
Hi dwsmith,

I would argue it like this. Let $$a$$ and $$b$$ be two different irrational numbers and suppose that there are only a finite number of rational numbers in-between $$a$$ and $$b$$. So we have,

$a<x_{0}<x_{1}<\cdots<x_{n}<b$

where $$x_{0}<x_{1}<\cdots<x_{n}$$ are rational numbers. Now there is no rational number between, $$a$$ and $$x_{0}$$ which leads to a contradiction since it can be proved that between any two real numbers there exist a rational number.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

#### dwsmith

##### Well-known member
Let $a$ and $b$ be two different irrational numbers.
Suppose there are only a finite number of rational numbers between $a$ and $b$.
$$a < x_1 < x_2 < x_3 < \cdots < x_n < b\quad\text{where} \ x_i\in\mathbb{Q}$$
We know that between any two rational numbers there exists another rational number.
So
$$a < x_1 < y_1 < x_2 < \cdots < y_{n - 1} < x_n < b$$
where $y_i = \frac{x_i + x_{i + 1}}{2}\in\mathbb{Q}$.
We can continue this process indefinitely; furthermore, the rational numbers in $(a,b)\sim\mathbb{Z}^+$.
Hence, they cannot be finite.

#### Sudharaka

##### Well-known member
MHB Math Helper
Let $a$ and $b$ be two different irrational numbers.
Suppose there are only a finite number of rational numbers between $a$ and $b$.
$$a < x_1 < x_2 < x_3 < \cdots < x_n < b\quad\text{where} \ x_i\in\mathbb{Q}$$
We know that between any two rational numbers there exists another rational number.
So
$$a < x_1 < y_1 < x_2 < \cdots < y_{n - 1} < x_n < b$$
where $y_i = \frac{x_i + x_{i + 1}}{2}\in\mathbb{Q}$.
We can continue this process indefinitely; furthermore, the rational numbers in $(a,b)\sim\mathbb{Z}^+$.
Hence, they cannot be finite.
Hi dwsmith,

When you assume "there are only a finite number of rational numbers between $a$ and $b$" there is also the possibility that you have only one rational number in between $a$ and $b$. I think this case is not covered in your proof.

Kind Regards,
Sudharaka.

#### dwsmith

##### Well-known member
What about saying that the rationals are dense in the reals so between (a,b) there are infinitely many rationals?

#### Plato

##### Well-known member
MHB Math Helper
Show that there are infinitely many rational numbers between two different irrational numbers and vice versa.
This is a ridiculous question.
The fundamental theorem is: Between any two numbers there is a rational number.
If $a<b$ then $\exists x_1\in\mathbb{Q}$ such that $a<x_1<b$.
Thus if $n>1$ then $\exists x_{n+1}\in\mathbb{Q}$ such that $x_n<x_{n+1}<b$

#### dwsmith

##### Well-known member
Dont shoot the messenger. I didn't create the question.