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Must the difference between two rational numbers be a rational number? Explain.

User Edharned
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2 Answers

5 votes

The correct answer is:

Yes, it must.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rational numbers are closed under subtraction. This means that if you subtract two rational numbers, your answer will also be a rational number.

The only way you could have two rational numbers and end with a result that is not a rational number is to take the square root of at least one of them. Depending on the digits in the numbers, this would result in an irrational number.

User Phelhe
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5 votes
No, because when you have your problem it can be less or more so it can't always be the same. Hope I helped.
User Luvnish Monga
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