NCERT Solutions
Class 11 Maths
Mathematical Reasoning

Ex.Misc.Q.6
Check the validity of the statements given below by the method given against it.
(1) p: The sum of an irrational number and a rational number is irrational (by contradiction method).
(2) q: If n is a real number with n > 3, then n2 > 9 (by contradiction method).
(1) The given statement is as follows.
p: the sum of an irrational number and a rational number is irrational.
Let us assume that the given statement, p, is false. That is, we assume that the sum of an
irrational number and a rational number are rational.
Therefore √a + =
, where √a is irrational and b, c, d, e are integers.
–
is a rational number and √a is an irrational number.
This is a contradiction. Therefore, our assumption is wrong.
Therefore, the sum of an irrational number and a rational number is rational.
Thus, the given statement is true.
(2) The given statement, q, is as follows.
If n is a real number with n > 3, then n2 > 9.
Let us assume that n is a real number with n > 3, but n2 > 9 is not true.
That is, n2 < 9
Then, n > 3 and n is a real number.
Squaring both the sides, we obtain n2 > 32
=> n2 < 9, which is a contradiction, since we have assumed that n2 < 9.
Thus, the given statement is true. That is, if n is a real number with n > 3,
then n2 > 9.