Let p be a prime. Show that 3p+3p5 is irrational.
Solutions — 2
Solution 1
Let r=3p+3p5. Then, r3=(3p+3p5)3=p+p5+3p2(3p+3p5)=p+p5+3p2r. Hence r is a root of the polynomial x3−3p2x−p5−p. Assume to the contrary that r is rational. By the rational root theorem we have r is an integer. From r3=p+p5+3p2r we get p∣r. Hence p3∣r3−3p2r−p5, implying p3∣p a contradiction. Thus, r is irrational.
Solution 2
Assume to the contrary that r=3p+3p5 is rational. Thus 1+prr+p3=1+3p4+3p83p+3p5+3p9=3p is rational. This is clearly false, thus r is irrational.
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