Irrational Numbers as Decimals

Introduction

In Rational and Irrational Numbers post, we have discussed that  $\sqrt{2}$ is irrational.  Aside from its radical form,  using a calculator or a computer, we can approximate its value; for example, $\sqrt{2} \approx 1.414213562$. As we can see, irrational numbers can also be represented as decimals. The more powerful the computer, the more accurate we can approximate.

Some Definitions

Decimal numbers with finite number of digits are called terminating decimals, while decimals with infinite number of digits are called non-terminating decimals. The number $0.345$ is a terminating decimal, while $0.999 \cdots$ is a non-terminating decimal. The $\cdots$ symbol means that the $9$s extend indefinitely.

Decimals with repeating digits; that is, the digits that repeat infinitely are called repeating decimals. The numbers $0.999 \cdots$$0.4545 \cdots$,  and $5.144144144 \cdots$ are repeating decimals. » Read more

Counting the Real Numbers

If we are in a room full of ballroom dancers where each male dancer has a female dancer partner, and no one is left without a partner, we can say that there are as many male as female dancers in the room even without counting. In mathematics, we say that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the set of male dancers and the set of female dancers.

Pairing Infinite Sets

In the A Glimpse at Infinite Sets, we have learned that if we can pair two sets in one-to-one correspondence, we can say that the two sets have the same number of elements. The number of elements of a set is its cardinality. Therefore, the cardinality of the binary numbers {1,0} is 2 and the cardinality of the set of the vowel letters in the English alphabet {a, e, i, o, u} is 5.

The pairing of sets can be extended to compare sets with infinite number of elements or infinite sets.  In Figure 1, it is clear that it is possible to pair the set of integers with the set of counting numbers in one-to-one correspondence (can you see why?).  Infinite sets whose elements can be paired with the set of counting numbers in one-to-one correspondence is said to be countably infinite.

Figure 1

As a consequence of the analogy above, we can conclude the cardinality of counting numbers is equal to the cardinality of integers (Can you see why?). » Read more

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