Consider the decimal representations below.
\(x = 1.23232323\ldots\), where the block “23” repeats forever
\(y = 1.232232223\ldots\), where each successive block before a \(3\) contains one more \(2\) than the previous block
1. Decide whether each number is rational or irrational.
2. Justify each decision using the decimal representation.
3. Write the rational number as a fraction in lowest terms.
Hints
- Identify whether each decimal eventually repeats a fixed block.
- For the rational decimal, look for a place-value shift that aligns the repeating tails.
- A rule-generated decimal is rational only if it terminates or eventually becomes periodic.
Solution
1. The decimal for \(x\) repeats: \(x = 1.\overline{23}\). Therefore, \(x\) is rational.
2. The decimal for \(y\) is nonterminating and nonrepeating because the number of consecutive \(2\)s keeps increasing. Therefore, \(y\) is irrational.
3. Let \(x = 1.\overline{23}\). Then \(100x = 123.\overline{23}\). Subtracting gives \(99x = 122\), so \(x = \frac{122}{99}\). The numerator and denominator have no common factor, so the fraction is in lowest terms.
Answer
1. \(x\) is rational, and \(y\) is irrational.
2. The decimal for \(x\) repeats, while the decimal for \(y\) is nonterminating and nonrepeating.
3. \(x = \frac{122}{99}\)