Suppose x is a rational number such that x2 is also rational. Find x.
Solution
Solution:
Suppose x=0. Then xx2=2 is the quotient of two nonzero rationals, and so is rational. However, it is well-known that 2 is irrational. Therefore any solution x must satisfy x=0. We can see that 0 is rational and 02=0 is rational, so the answer is indeed x=0.
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