Q. Which of the following is an irrational number?Choices:(A) 5(B) 21(C) 0(D) 8
Definition of Irrational Number: Understand the definition of an irrational number. An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction - that is, the ratio of two integers. It is a number that has a non-repeating, non-terminating decimal expansion.
Evaluate 5: Evaluate option (A) 5.The square root of 5 is not a perfect square, which means it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction of two integers. Its decimal expansion is non-terminating and non-repeating. Therefore, 5 is an irrational number.
Evaluate 21: Evaluate option (B) 21.The number 21 is a simple fraction and can be expressed as 0.5, which is a terminating decimal. Therefore, 21 is not an irrational number.
Evaluate 0: Evaluate option (C) 0. The number 0 can be expressed as the fraction 0/1, which is a simple fraction with a terminating decimal. Therefore, 0 is not an irrational number.
Evaluate 8: Evaluate option (D) 8. The number 8 is an integer and can be expressed as the fraction 18. It has a terminating decimal expansion. Therefore, 8 is not an irrational number.
Select Correct Answer: Select the correct answer based on the evaluations.Since 5 is the only number among the options that cannot be expressed as a simple fraction and has a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal expansion, it is the only irrational number in the list.