Problems from Situation of the irrational numbers on the straight line

Write the first five decimal approximations by defect and by excess to the number e=2,71828182846, as well as the first five fitted intervals of the sequence of intervals that it defines.

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Development:

Given the number e=2,71828182846 and considering the rational number obtained by truncation in each of the decimal positions we obtain the sequence of approximation of number e by defect:

2;2.7;2.71;2.718;2.7182;2.71828;2.718281;2.7182818; 2.71828182;2.718281828;2.7182818284;2.71828182846;

Then, we add a unit in the last digit of every term of this sequence, so we obtain the approximation by excess of the number e:

3;2.8;2.72;2.719;2.7183;2.71829;2.718282;2.7182819; 2.71828183;2.718281829;2.7182818285;2.71828182847;

And from both successions, we can construct the succession of fitted intervals that defines to number e=2,71828182846:

[2,3];[2.7,2.8];[2.71,2.72];[2.718,2.719];[2.7182,2.7183];[2.71828,2.71829]; [2.718281,2.718282];[2.7182818,2.7182819];[2.71828182,2.71828183];

Solution:

The first five terms of the sequence of approximation by defect are: 2;2.7;2.71;2.718;2.7182 The first five terms of the sequence of approximation by excess are: 3;2.8;2.72;2.719;2.7183 The first five terms of the sequence of fitted intervals: [2,3];[2.7,2.8];[2.71,2.72];[2.718,2.719];[2.7182,2.7183]

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Describe a method to draw the irrational number 7.

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Development:

To draw the irrational one 7, we decompose the number 7into an addition of another two. We have different options: 7=1+6; 7=2+5 or 7=3+4. We choose the third one because 4 is a perfect square and it is going to be easier to draw. Then, we draw a rectangular triangle whose legs have length 4=2 and 3.

To draw the leg which has length 3 we must begin the process again:

We decompose the number 3 into an addition of another two: 3=1+2.

We draw a rectangular triangle with legs 1=1 and 2.

It is not a problem to draw a segment of length 1, and the segment with length 2 can be obtained by drawing a triangle with legs 1.

Using Pythagoras' theorem, we have that the hypotenuse of the above mentioned triangle is: H2=(2)2+12 H2=2+1=3 H=3

Now we already have drawn the length 3 and, using a compas, we can move it to the rectangular triangle that we were drawing which has a length of legs 3 and 2.

The hypotenuse G of this triangle measures exactly 7: G2=(3)2+22=3+4=7

so we already have drawn a length of 7.

Solution:

We decompose the number 7 thus 7=3+4. To draw the length of the leg 3 we decompose 3=1+2.

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