Mimic Pythagoras's proof to show that the diagonal of a rectangles with one side the double of the other is not commensurable with either side.

Holt Mcdougal Larson Pre-algebra: Student Edition 2012
1st Edition
ISBN:9780547587776
Author:HOLT MCDOUGAL
Publisher:HOLT MCDOUGAL
Chapter3: Multi-step Equations And Inequalities
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 11PTTS
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4) Mimic Pythagoras's proof to show that the diagonal of a rectangles with one
side the double of the other is not commensurable with either side.
Hint: Let h be the measure of the diagonal and a be the measure of the shortest
side. In the course of the proof you will obtain that h^2=5a^2. You should
convince yourself that if h^2 is divisible by 5 (a prime number), then also h is
divisible by 5.
Transcribed Image Text:4) Mimic Pythagoras's proof to show that the diagonal of a rectangles with one side the double of the other is not commensurable with either side. Hint: Let h be the measure of the diagonal and a be the measure of the shortest side. In the course of the proof you will obtain that h^2=5a^2. You should convince yourself that if h^2 is divisible by 5 (a prime number), then also h is divisible by 5.
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