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Exercise 90Number theory › IrrationalityL1Added 3 Nov 2026

Irrationality of π

#pi#irrationality#Lambert

Statement

State Lambert's theorem and deduce that π\pi is irrational.

Hint

Lambert: if x∈Q∖{0}x\in\mathbb{Q}\setminus\{0\} then tan⁡x∉Q\tan x\notin\mathbb{Q}. Apply this to π/4\pi/4.

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Solution

Lambert's theorem. For x∈Q∖{0}x\in\mathbb{Q}\setminus\{0\}, tan⁡x\tan x is irrational.

Application. tan⁡(π/4)=1∈Q\tan(\pi/4)=1\in\mathbb{Q}. If π/4∈Q\pi/4\in\mathbb{Q}, this would contradict Lambert (since π/4≠0\pi/4\neq0). So π/4∉Q\pi/4\notin\mathbb{Q}.

Conclusion. π\pi is irrational.

Remark. The first proof was due to Lambert (1761). Lindemann later proved π\pi is transcendental (1882).