Rational numbers cannot _____________.

Question

options:

go on forever and ever
go on forever and ever

repeat digits in the decimal
repeat digits in the decimal

be square roots of non-perfect squares
be square roots of non-perfect squares

be negative
be negative

Answer 1

Rational numbers cannot be square roots of non-perfect squares.

Rational numbers are defined as numbers that can be expressed as the quotient of two integers (where the denominator is not zero). The square roots of non-perfect squares result in irrational numbers, which cannot be represented as a fraction of two integers. The other options provided are incorrect because:

• Rational numbers can go on forever in their decimal representation, but they cannot be infinitely non-repeating; instead, they either terminate or repeat.
• Rational numbers can and often do repeat digits in their decimal form.
• Rational numbers can be negative.