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Exercise 247Number theory › IrrationalityHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Sum of irrationals can be rational

#irrationality#sum#counterexample

Statement

Show that the sum of two irrationals can be rational.

Hint

Consider 2\sqrt2 and −2-\sqrt2.

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Solution

Example. 2+(−2)=0∈Q\sqrt2+(-\sqrt2)=0\in\mathbb{Q}, but 2\sqrt2 and −2-\sqrt2 are both irrational.

Conclusion. The sum of two irrationals is not necessarily irrational.

Remark. The product can also be rational: 2⋅2=2\sqrt2\cdot\sqrt2=2.