We have a square tile which measures 1 metre, by the Pythagorean identity the diagonal from one corner to another will be sqrt 2 metres. However sqrt 2 is an irrational number, could someone explain how it is possible for a non-terminating and non repeating number to represent a finite length in reality?

Emma Hobbs

Emma Hobbs

Answered question

2022-11-21

We have a square tile which measures 1 metre by 1 metre, by the Pythagorean identity the diagonal from one corner to another will be 2 metres. However 2 is an irrational number, could someone explain how it is possible for a non-terminating and non repeating number to represent a finite length in reality?

Answer & Explanation

Hailee West

Hailee West

Beginner2022-11-22Added 15 answers

It's not the number 2 that's non-terminating; it's the decimal expansion of the number that's non-terminating. If you try to write down the entire decimal expansion of the number, you'll be writing forever, but the number itself is just a small number between 1.4 and 1.5.
kituoti126

kituoti126

Beginner2022-11-23Added 8 answers

In reality, an exact side length of one meter does not exist, either. Nor does an exact square shape. Also note that the digit sequences as such are irrelevant as they depend on the units involved - with a suitable unit, the diagonal is maybe one kellicap long and the side length is irrational.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Ask your question.
Get an expert answer.

Let our experts help you. Answer in as fast as 15 minutes.

Didn't find what you were looking for?