Bytelearn - cat image with glassesAI tutor

Welcome to Bytelearn!

Let’s check out your problem:

The number aa is irrational. Which statement about a12a - \sqrt{12} is true?\newlineChoices:\newline(A)a12a - \sqrt{12} is rational.\newline(B)a12a - \sqrt{12} is irrational.\newline(C)a12a - \sqrt{12} can be rational or irrational, depending on the value of aa.

Full solution

Q. The number aa is irrational. Which statement about a12a - \sqrt{12} is true?\newlineChoices:\newline(A)a12a - \sqrt{12} is rational.\newline(B)a12a - \sqrt{12} is irrational.\newline(C)a12a - \sqrt{12} can be rational or irrational, depending on the value of aa.
  1. Identify Type of Number: Identify whether 12\sqrt{12} is a rational or irrational number.1212 is not a perfect square, so its square root cannot be expressed as a simple fraction.12\sqrt{12} is an irrational number.
  2. Properties of Irrational Numbers: Consider the properties of irrational numbers. The difference between two irrational numbers can be rational or irrational. For example, if a=12a = \sqrt{12}, then a12=1212=0a - \sqrt{12} = \sqrt{12} - \sqrt{12} = 0, which is rational. However, if aa is any irrational number not related to 12\sqrt{12}, then a12a - \sqrt{12} is likely to be irrational.
  3. Determine Correct Statement: Determine the correct statement based on the properties of irrational numbers.\newlineSince we can find at least one case where a12a - \sqrt{12} is rational (when a=12a = \sqrt{12}), and we know that in general, the difference between two unrelated irrational numbers is irrational, the correct statement is that a12a - \sqrt{12} can be rational or irrational, depending on the value of aa.

More problems from Properties of operations on rational and irrational numbers