If $\sqrt[3]{a} + \sqrt[3]{b}$ is rational then prove $\sqrt[3]{a}$ and $\sqrt[3]{b}$ are rational

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Assume there exist some rationals $a, b$ such that $\sqrt[3]{a}, \sqrt[3]{b}$ are irrationals, but:

$$\sqrt[3]{a} + \sqrt[3]{b} = \frac{m}{n}$$

for some integers $m, n$

$$\implies \left(\sqrt[3]{a} + \sqrt[3]{b}\right)^3 = \frac{m^3}{n^3}$$

$$\implies a + b + 3 \cdot \sqrt[3]{ab}\left(\sqrt[3]{a} + \sqrt[3]{b}\right) = \frac{m^3}{n^3}$$

Since $a +b$, $\sqrt[3]{a} + \sqrt[3]{b}$ are rational, $\sqrt[3]{ab}$ must be rational as well.

For convenience let us say $\sqrt[3]{a} = p, \sqrt[3]{b} = q \implies pq$ is rational. This means, for all $i$, $p^iq^i$ is rational.

$$\implies (p + q)^2 = \frac{m^2}{n^2}$$

$$ = p^2 + q^2 + 2pq = \frac{m^2}{n^2}$$

Since $pq$ is rational, $2pq$ is rational and so is $p^2 + q^2$.

Assume, for some $i$ that $p^i + q^i$ and $p^{i-1} + q^{i-1}$ is rational.

$$\implies (p^i + q^i)(p + q) - pq(p^{i - 1} + q^{i - 1}) = p^{i+1} + q^{i+1}$$

is rational as well.

So for all $i$,

$$a^{\frac{i}{3}} + b^{\frac{i}{3}}$$

and

$$a^{\frac{i}{3}}b^{\frac{i}{3}}$$

are rational.

I know I'm really close to the answer, but it somehow just keeps slipping through my fingers.

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As you have proved, $p^2+q^2\in\Bbb Q$ and $pq\in \Bbb Q$, so $$p-q=\frac{a-b}{p^2+pq+q^2}\in \Bbb Q.$$ Combining this with $p+q\in \Bbb Q$, we are done.