The number \( \pi \) is known to be an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers. When we subtract 5 from \( \pi \), we calculate \( \pi - 5 \).
Since the difference between an irrational number and a rational number (in this case, 5, which is rational) is still irrational, \( \pi - 5 \) remains irrational. Therefore, the number \( \pi - 5 \) is irrational.