![]() Copyright ©2011 by Paul Niquette All rights reserved. |
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![]() Solvers have the freedom to decide on the values for A and B so long as neither can be expressed as a ratio of p / q where p and q are integers. Using spreadsheet typographic conventions... Let A = 2^(1/2) and B = X^(2^(1/2)), where X is an integer.Since X is an integer, X^2 is an integer, for example (get out your calculator)... Let X = an integer, say 5, then X^2 = 25, noting that 2^(1/2) = 1.41421356......and the existence appears to be established. We seem to be ready to say Q.E.D. despite a possible issue... Whereas A = 2^(1/2), the square root of two, is definitely an irrational number, B may not be an irrational number as specified in the puzzle. Best not choose some 'wrong' value for X, such that B = X^(2^(1/2)) happens to be rational.Go ahead with your Q.E.D., though. "Existence" does not require all values of X to be accommodated. Our solution, then, is...
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