Question

Richie says that 2.141441444... is a rational number. Elsa disagrees and says the number is irrational. Decide who is correct and what might likely cause one of them to make the error.

Answer 1

The number 2.141441444... is an irrational number.

Step-by-step explanation:

The number 2.141441444... is an irrational number.

An irrational number is a non-repeating, non-terminating decimal. It cannot be expressed as a fraction of two integers. Examples of irrational numbers include π and √2.

Richie likely made the error of assuming that a decimal that repeats after a certain pattern is rational. However, repeating decimals can be rational or irrational, depending on the pattern. In this case, the repeating pattern is not a simple fraction, so the number is irrational. Elsa is correct in saying that the number is irrational.