Proving the irrationality of the number cos

Landyn Jimenez

Landyn Jimenez

Answered question

2022-05-30

Proving the irrationality of the number cos π 9

Answer & Explanation

Jameson Freeman

Jameson Freeman

Beginner2022-05-31Added 6 answers

Hint: Use 1 2 = cos π 3 = 4 cos 3 π 9 3 cos π 9 , then prove that 4 x 3 3 x = 1 2 does not have rational roots
Isaiah Farrell

Isaiah Farrell

Beginner2022-06-01Added 5 answers

Observe that cos ( π 3 ) = 1 2 . Thus using the identity: cos ( 3 x ) = 4 cos 3 x 3 cos x, cos ( π 9 ) is a zero of the equation: 4 x 3 3 x = 1 2 ,and using the irrational root test, one concludes that this equation has no rational root, hence cos ( π 9 ) must be irrational.

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