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irrational definition

ir·ra·tional (i ras̸h′ə nəl)

adjective

  1. lacking the power to reason
  2. contrary to reason; senseless; unreasonable; absurd
  3. Math. designating a real number not expressible as an integer or as a quotient of two integers: √ and pi are irrational numbers

Etymology: ME < L irrationalis: see in- & rational

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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The roots of some numbers are rational, i.e. they are either integers or can be expressed as exact fractions, e.g. √4 = 2, √9 = 3, 38 = 2, 316/25 = 4/5,
327/64 = ¾, 33125 = 5, 4729 = 3, 7128 = 2, 81/64 = 9/8 = 11/8. On the other hand, the root of numbers like √2, √3, 5, 11/17, 8/5 = 1.6, are irrational, i.e. they are neither integers nor are they capable of being expressed as exact fractions. These irrational roots of rational numbers are called Surds.

Posted by DVC Onuoha 54 days ago.

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