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➕pre-algebra review

Transcendental Numbers

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Transcendental numbers are real numbers that are not the roots of any polynomial equation with integer coefficients. They cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, unlike rational numbers, and their digits do not repeat in a periodic pattern like algebraic irrational numbers. Transcendental numbers are an important concept in the study of rational and irrational numbers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Transcendental numbers are not the roots of any polynomial equation with integer coefficients, unlike algebraic numbers.
  2. The most well-known transcendental numbers are $\pi$, $e$, and $\log_a b$ for any positive real numbers $a$ and $b$ not equal to 1.
  3. Transcendental numbers have infinitely many non-repeating digits in their decimal representation, unlike rational numbers.
  4. Proving that a number is transcendental is generally more difficult than proving it is algebraic or rational.
  5. Transcendental numbers have important applications in various fields, such as number theory, cryptography, and the study of dynamical systems.

Review Questions

  • Explain the key differences between transcendental numbers, rational numbers, and irrational numbers.
    • Transcendental numbers are real numbers that cannot be expressed as the root of any polynomial equation with integer coefficients, unlike rational and irrational numbers. Rational numbers are numbers that can be expressed as a ratio of two integers, while irrational numbers are real numbers that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. Transcendental numbers have infinitely many non-repeating digits in their decimal representation, unlike rational numbers, and they are not the roots of any polynomial equation, unlike algebraic irrational numbers.
  • Describe the significance of transcendental numbers in the study of real numbers and their applications.
    • Transcendental numbers are an important concept in the study of real numbers because they demonstrate the existence of numbers that cannot be expressed as the root of a polynomial equation with integer coefficients. This highlights the richness and complexity of the real number system beyond just rational and algebraic irrational numbers. Transcendental numbers have important applications in various fields, such as number theory, where they are used in the study of the distribution of prime numbers, and in cryptography, where they are used to generate secure encryption keys. Additionally, transcendental numbers play a role in the study of dynamical systems and chaos theory, as their non-repeating decimal representations can lead to complex and unpredictable behaviors.
  • Analyze the relationship between transcendental numbers, algebraic numbers, and the real number system, and explain the implications for our understanding of the properties of real numbers.
    • The existence of transcendental numbers, which are real numbers that cannot be expressed as the root of a polynomial equation with integer coefficients, demonstrates that the real number system contains numbers beyond just rational numbers and algebraic irrational numbers. This highlights the richness and complexity of the real number system, and challenges the notion that all real numbers can be characterized by simple algebraic relationships. The fact that transcendental numbers have infinitely many non-repeating digits in their decimal representation, unlike rational numbers, also suggests that the real number system contains an uncountable infinity of numbers with a level of complexity that exceeds the patterns and structures observed in rational and algebraic irrational numbers. This has important implications for our understanding of the properties and behavior of real numbers, and the limitations of using algebraic methods to fully characterize the real number system.