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irrational number
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irrational number

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irrational number, any real number that cannot be expressed as the quotient of two integers—that is, p/q, where p and q are both integers. For example, there is no number among integers and fractions that equals Square root of√2. A counterpart problem in measurement would be to find the length of the diagonal of a square whose side is one unit long; there is no subdivision of the unit length that will divide evenly into the length of the diagonal. (See Sidebar: Incommensurables.) It thus became necessary, early in the history of mathematics, to extend the concept of number to include irrational numbers. Irrational numbers such as π can be expressed as an infinite decimal expansion with no regularly repeating digit or group of digits. Together the irrational and rational numbers form the real numbers.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Erik Gregersen.