Prove that is irrational.


Let us suppose that √3 + √5 is rational. Let √3 = √5 − a, were a is rational.


On squaring both sides, we get


(√3)2 = (√5 – a )2


3 = 5 + a2 − 2a√5 [ Using (a-b)2 = a2 + b2 + 2ab]


2a√5 = 2 + a2



This is not possible because right hand side is rational while left hand side i.e. √5 is irrational.


So, our assumption is wrong. √3 + √5 is irrational.


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