The Real Numbers
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The Enigmatic Number E: a History in Verse and Its Uses in the Mathematics Classroom
To appear in MAA Loci: Convergence The Enigmatic Number e: A History in Verse and Its Uses in the Mathematics Classroom Sarah Glaz Department of Mathematics University of Connecticut Storrs, CT 06269 [email protected] Introduction In this article we present a history of e in verse—an annotated poem: The Enigmatic Number e . The annotation consists of hyperlinks leading to biographies of the mathematicians appearing in the poem, and to explanations of the mathematical notions and ideas presented in the poem. The intention is to celebrate the history of this venerable number in verse, and to put the mathematical ideas connected with it in historical and artistic context. The poem may also be used by educators in any mathematics course in which the number e appears, and those are as varied as e's multifaceted history. The sections following the poem provide suggestions and resources for the use of the poem as a pedagogical tool in a variety of mathematics courses. They also place these suggestions in the context of other efforts made by educators in this direction by briefly outlining the uses of historical mathematical poems for teaching mathematics at high-school and college level. Historical Background The number e is a newcomer to the mathematical pantheon of numbers denoted by letters: it made several indirect appearances in the 17 th and 18 th centuries, and acquired its letter designation only in 1731. Our history of e starts with John Napier (1550-1617) who defined logarithms through a process called dynamical analogy [1]. Napier aimed to simplify multiplication (and in the same time also simplify division and exponentiation), by finding a model which transforms multiplication into addition. -
Irrational Numbers Unit 4 Lesson 6 IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
Irrational Numbers Unit 4 Lesson 6 IRRATIONAL NUMBERS Students will be able to: Understand the meanings of Irrational Numbers Key Vocabulary: • Irrational Numbers • Examples of Rational Numbers and Irrational Numbers • Decimal expansion of Irrational Numbers • Steps for representing Irrational Numbers on number line IRRATIONAL NUMBERS A rational number is a number that can be expressed as a ratio or we can say that written as a fraction. Every whole number is a rational number, because any whole number can be written as a fraction. Numbers that are not rational are called irrational numbers. An Irrational Number is a real number that cannot be written as a simple fraction or we can say cannot be written as a ratio of two integers. The set of real numbers consists of the union of the rational and irrational numbers. If a whole number is not a perfect square, then its square root is irrational. For example, 2 is not a perfect square, and √2 is irrational. EXAMPLES OF RATIONAL NUMBERS AND IRRATIONAL NUMBERS Examples of Rational Number The number 7 is a rational number because it can be written as the 7 fraction . 1 The number 0.1111111….(1 is repeating) is also rational number 1 because it can be written as fraction . 9 EXAMPLES OF RATIONAL NUMBERS AND IRRATIONAL NUMBERS Examples of Irrational Numbers The square root of 2 is an irrational number because it cannot be written as a fraction √2 = 1.4142135…… Pi(휋) is also an irrational number. π = 3.1415926535897932384626433832795 (and more...) 22 The approx. value of = 3.1428571428571.. -
Metrical Diophantine Approximation for Quaternions
This is a repository copy of Metrical Diophantine approximation for quaternions. White Rose Research Online URL for this paper: https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/90637/ Version: Accepted Version Article: Dodson, Maurice and Everitt, Brent orcid.org/0000-0002-0395-338X (2014) Metrical Diophantine approximation for quaternions. Mathematical Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society. pp. 513-542. ISSN 1469-8064 https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305004114000462 Reuse Items deposited in White Rose Research Online are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved unless indicated otherwise. They may be downloaded and/or printed for private study, or other acts as permitted by national copyright laws. The publisher or other rights holders may allow further reproduction and re-use of the full text version. This is indicated by the licence information on the White Rose Research Online record for the item. Takedown If you consider content in White Rose Research Online to be in breach of UK law, please notify us by emailing [email protected] including the URL of the record and the reason for the withdrawal request. [email protected] https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/ Under consideration for publication in Math. Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc. 1 Metrical Diophantine approximation for quaternions By MAURICE DODSON† and BRENT EVERITT‡ Department of Mathematics, University of York, York, YO 10 5DD, UK (Received ; revised) Dedicated to J. W. S. Cassels. Abstract Analogues of the classical theorems of Khintchine, Jarn´ık and Jarn´ık-Besicovitch in the metrical theory of Diophantine approximation are established for quaternions by applying results on the measure of general ‘lim sup’ sets. -
Hypercomplex Algebras and Their Application to the Mathematical
Hypercomplex Algebras and their application to the mathematical formulation of Quantum Theory Torsten Hertig I1, Philip H¨ohmann II2, Ralf Otte I3 I tecData AG Bahnhofsstrasse 114, CH-9240 Uzwil, Schweiz 1 [email protected] 3 [email protected] II info-key GmbH & Co. KG Heinz-Fangman-Straße 2, DE-42287 Wuppertal, Deutschland 2 [email protected] March 31, 2014 Abstract Quantum theory (QT) which is one of the basic theories of physics, namely in terms of ERWIN SCHRODINGER¨ ’s 1926 wave functions in general requires the field C of the complex numbers to be formulated. However, even the complex-valued description soon turned out to be insufficient. Incorporating EINSTEIN’s theory of Special Relativity (SR) (SCHRODINGER¨ , OSKAR KLEIN, WALTER GORDON, 1926, PAUL DIRAC 1928) leads to an equation which requires some coefficients which can neither be real nor complex but rather must be hypercomplex. It is conventional to write down the DIRAC equation using pairwise anti-commuting matrices. However, a unitary ring of square matrices is a hypercomplex algebra by definition, namely an associative one. However, it is the algebraic properties of the elements and their relations to one another, rather than their precise form as matrices which is important. This encourages us to replace the matrix formulation by a more symbolic one of the single elements as linear combinations of some basis elements. In the case of the DIRAC equation, these elements are called biquaternions, also known as quaternions over the complex numbers. As an algebra over R, the biquaternions are eight-dimensional; as subalgebras, this algebra contains the division ring H of the quaternions at one hand and the algebra C ⊗ C of the bicomplex numbers at the other, the latter being commutative in contrast to H. -
Proofs, Sets, Functions, and More: Fundamentals of Mathematical Reasoning, with Engaging Examples from Algebra, Number Theory, and Analysis
Proofs, Sets, Functions, and More: Fundamentals of Mathematical Reasoning, with Engaging Examples from Algebra, Number Theory, and Analysis Mike Krebs James Pommersheim Anthony Shaheen FOR THE INSTRUCTOR TO READ i For the instructor to read We should put a section in the front of the book that organizes the organization of the book. It would be the instructor section that would have: { flow chart that shows which sections are prereqs for what sections. We can start making this now so we don't have to remember the flow later. { main organization and objects in each chapter { What a Cfu is and how to use it { Why we have the proofcomment formatting and what it is. { Applications sections and what they are { Other things that need to be pointed out. IDEA: Seperate each of the above into subsections that are labeled for ease of reading but not shown in the table of contents in the front of the book. ||||||||| main organization examples: ||||||| || In a course such as this, the student comes in contact with many abstract concepts, such as that of a set, a function, and an equivalence class of an equivalence relation. What is the best way to learn this material. We have come up with several rules that we want to follow in this book. Themes of the book: 1. The book has a few central mathematical objects that are used throughout the book. 2. Each central mathematical object from theme #1 must be a fundamental object in mathematics that appears in many areas of mathematics and its applications. -
Integers, Rational Numbers, and Algebraic Numbers
LECTURE 9 Integers, Rational Numbers, and Algebraic Numbers In the set N of natural numbers only the operations of addition and multiplication can be defined. For allowing the operations of subtraction and division quickly take us out of the set N; 2 ∈ N and3 ∈ N but2 − 3=−1 ∈/ N 1 1 ∈ N and2 ∈ N but1 ÷ 2= = N 2 The set Z of integers is formed by expanding N to obtain a set that is closed under subtraction as well as addition. Z = {0, −1, +1, −2, +2, −3, +3,...} . The new set Z is not closed under division, however. One therefore expands Z to include fractions as well and arrives at the number field Q, the rational numbers. More formally, the set Q of rational numbers is the set of all ratios of integers: p Q = | p, q ∈ Z ,q=0 q The rational numbers appear to be a very satisfactory algebraic system until one begins to tries to solve equations like x2 =2 . It turns out that there is no rational number that satisfies this equation. To see this, suppose there exists integers p, q such that p 2 2= . q p We can without loss of generality assume that p and q have no common divisors (i.e., that the fraction q is reduced as far as possible). We have 2q2 = p2 so p2 is even. Hence p is even. Therefore, p is of the form p =2k for some k ∈ Z.Butthen 2q2 =4k2 or q2 =2k2 so q is even, so p and q have a common divisor - a contradiction since p and q are can be assumed to be relatively prime. -
Rational Numbers Vs. Irrational Numbers Handout
Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers by Nabil Nassif, PhD in cooperation with Sophie Moufawad, MS and the assistance of Ghina El Jannoun, MS and Dania Sheaib, MS American University of Beirut, Lebanon An MIT BLOSSOMS Module August, 2012 Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers “The ultimate Nature of Reality is Numbers” A quote from Pythagoras (570-495 BC) Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers “Wherever there is number, there is beauty” A quote from Proclus (412-485 AD) Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers Traditional Clock plus Circumference 1 1 min = of 1 hour 60 Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers An Electronic Clock plus a Calendar Hour : Minutes : Seconds dd/mm/yyyy 1 1 month = of 1year 12 1 1 day = of 1 year (normally) 365 1 1 hour = of 1 day 24 1 1 min = of 1 hour 60 1 1 sec = of 1 min 60 Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers TSquares: Use of Pythagoras Theorem Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers Golden number ϕ and Golden rectangle 1+√5 1 1 √5 Roots of x2 x 1=0are ϕ = and = − − − 2 − ϕ 2 Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers Golden number ϕ and Inner Golden spiral Drawn with up to 10 golden rectangles Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers Outer Golden spiral and L. Fibonacci (1175-1250) sequence = 1 , 1 , 2, 3, 5, 8, 13..., fn, ... : fn = fn 1+fn 2,n 3 F { } − − ≥ f1 f2 1 n n 1 1 !"#$ !"#$ fn = (ϕ +( 1) − ) √5 − ϕn Rational numbers vs. Irrational numbers Euler’s Number e 1 1 1 s = 1 + + + =2.6666....66.... 3 1! 2 3! 1 1 1 s = 1 + + + =2.70833333...333... -
MATH 304: CONSTRUCTING the REAL NUMBERS† Peter Kahn
MATH 304: CONSTRUCTING THE REAL NUMBERSy Peter Kahn Spring 2007 Contents 4 The Real Numbers 1 4.1 Sequences of rational numbers . 2 4.1.1 De¯nitions . 2 4.1.2 Examples . 6 4.1.3 Cauchy sequences . 7 4.2 Algebraic operations on sequences . 12 4.2.1 The ring S and its subrings . 12 4.2.2 Proving that C is a subring of S . 14 4.2.3 Comparing the rings with Q ................... 17 4.2.4 Taking stock . 17 4.3 The ¯eld of real numbers . 19 4.4 Ordering the reals . 26 4.4.1 The basic properties . 26 4.4.2 Density properties of the reals . 30 4.4.3 Convergent and Cauchy sequences of reals . 32 4.4.4 A brief postscript . 37 4.4.5 Optional: Exercises on the foundations of calculus . 39 4 The Real Numbers In the last section, we saw that the rational number system is incomplete inasmuch as it has gaps or \holes" where some limits of sequences should be. In this section we show how these holes can be ¯lled and show, as well, that no further gaps of this kind can occur. This leads immediately to the standard picture of the reals with which a real analysis course begins. Time permitting, we shall also discuss material y°c May 21, 2007 1 in the ¯fth and ¯nal section which shows that the rational numbers form only a tiny fragment of the set of all real numbers, of which the greatest part by far consists of the mysterious transcendentals. -
The Evolution of Numbers
The Evolution of Numbers Counting Numbers Counting Numbers: {1, 2, 3, …} We use numbers to count: 1, 2, 3, 4, etc You can have "3 friends" A field can have "6 cows" Whole Numbers Whole numbers are the counting numbers plus zero. Whole Numbers: {0, 1, 2, 3, …} Negative Numbers We can count forward: 1, 2, 3, 4, ...... but what if we count backward: 3, 2, 1, 0, ... what happens next? The answer is: negative numbers: {…, -3, -2, -1} A negative number is any number less than zero. Integers If we include the negative numbers with the whole numbers, we have a new set of numbers that are called integers: {…, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …} The Integers include zero, the counting numbers, and the negative counting numbers, to make a list of numbers that stretch in either direction indefinitely. Rational Numbers A rational number is a number that can be written as a simple fraction (i.e. as a ratio). 2.5 is rational, because it can be written as the ratio 5/2 7 is rational, because it can be written as the ratio 7/1 0.333... (3 repeating) is also rational, because it can be written as the ratio 1/3 More formally we say: A rational number is a number that can be written in the form p/q where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero. Example: If p is 3 and q is 2, then: p/q = 3/2 = 1.5 is a rational number Rational Numbers include: all integers all fractions Irrational Numbers An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as a simple fraction. -
Algebraic Number Theory
Algebraic Number Theory William B. Hart Warwick Mathematics Institute Abstract. We give a short introduction to algebraic number theory. Algebraic number theory is the study of extension fields Q(α1; α2; : : : ; αn) of the rational numbers, known as algebraic number fields (sometimes number fields for short), in which each of the adjoined complex numbers αi is algebraic, i.e. the root of a polynomial with rational coefficients. Throughout this set of notes we use the notation Z[α1; α2; : : : ; αn] to denote the ring generated by the values αi. It is the smallest ring containing the integers Z and each of the αi. It can be described as the ring of all polynomial expressions in the αi with integer coefficients, i.e. the ring of all expressions built up from elements of Z and the complex numbers αi by finitely many applications of the arithmetic operations of addition and multiplication. The notation Q(α1; α2; : : : ; αn) denotes the field of all quotients of elements of Z[α1; α2; : : : ; αn] with nonzero denominator, i.e. the field of rational functions in the αi, with rational coefficients. It is the smallest field containing the rational numbers Q and all of the αi. It can be thought of as the field of all expressions built up from elements of Z and the numbers αi by finitely many applications of the arithmetic operations of addition, multiplication and division (excepting of course, divide by zero). 1 Algebraic numbers and integers A number α 2 C is called algebraic if it is the root of a monic polynomial n n−1 n−2 f(x) = x + an−1x + an−2x + ::: + a1x + a0 = 0 with rational coefficients ai. -
Control Number: FD-00133
Math Released Set 2015 Algebra 1 PBA Item #13 Two Real Numbers Defined M44105 Prompt Rubric Task is worth a total of 3 points. M44105 Rubric Score Description 3 Student response includes the following 3 elements. • Reasoning component = 3 points o Correct identification of a as rational and b as irrational o Correct identification that the product is irrational o Correct reasoning used to determine rational and irrational numbers Sample Student Response: A rational number can be written as a ratio. In other words, a number that can be written as a simple fraction. a = 0.444444444444... can be written as 4 . Thus, a is a 9 rational number. All numbers that are not rational are considered irrational. An irrational number can be written as a decimal, but not as a fraction. b = 0.354355435554... cannot be written as a fraction, so it is irrational. The product of an irrational number and a nonzero rational number is always irrational, so the product of a and b is irrational. You can also see it is irrational with my calculations: 4 (.354355435554...)= .15749... 9 .15749... is irrational. 2 Student response includes 2 of the 3 elements. 1 Student response includes 1 of the 3 elements. 0 Student response is incorrect or irrelevant. Anchor Set A1 – A8 A1 Score Point 3 Annotations Anchor Paper 1 Score Point 3 This response receives full credit. The student includes each of the three required elements: • Correct identification of a as rational and b as irrational (The number represented by a is rational . The number represented by b would be irrational). -
0.999… = 1 an Infinitesimal Explanation Bryan Dawson
0 1 2 0.9999999999999999 0.999… = 1 An Infinitesimal Explanation Bryan Dawson know the proofs, but I still don’t What exactly does that mean? Just as real num- believe it.” Those words were uttered bers have decimal expansions, with one digit for each to me by a very good undergraduate integer power of 10, so do hyperreal numbers. But the mathematics major regarding hyperreals contain “infinite integers,” so there are digits This fact is possibly the most-argued- representing not just (the 237th digit past “Iabout result of arithmetic, one that can evoke great the decimal point) and (the 12,598th digit), passion. But why? but also (the Yth digit past the decimal point), According to Robert Ely [2] (see also Tall and where is a negative infinite hyperreal integer. Vinner [4]), the answer for some students lies in their We have four 0s followed by a 1 in intuition about the infinitely small: While they may the fifth decimal place, and also where understand that the difference between and 1 is represents zeros, followed by a 1 in the Yth less than any positive real number, they still perceive a decimal place. (Since we’ll see later that not all infinite nonzero but infinitely small difference—an infinitesimal hyperreal integers are equal, a more precise, but also difference—between the two. And it’s not just uglier, notation would be students; most professional mathematicians have not or formally studied infinitesimals and their larger setting, the hyperreal numbers, and as a result sometimes Confused? Perhaps a little background information wonder .