Notice:
I have asked a similar question on this topic before here, but it partook an alternative approach which didn't lead me anywhere, so now I am going with the classic one, suggested by the author; these, however, are two different questions, on two different problems, and I would appreciate if the thread wasn't closed on the basis of supposed repetition. Thank you.
Problem
Let $D$ be a positive integer, but not a square of an integer, then there exists a positive integer $\lambda$ such that $$\lambda^2<D<(\lambda+1)^2$$
If we assign to the second class $A_2$, every positive rational number $a_2$ whose square is $>D$, to the first class $A_1$ all other rational numbers $a_1$, this separation forms a cut $(A_1,A_2)$
...But this cut is produced by no rational number.
Proof
- If there exists a rational number whose square $=D$, then there exist two positive integers $t,u$ that satisfy equation $$t^2-Du^2=0$$
- We may assume that $u$ is the least positive integer possessing the property that its square, by multiplication by $D$, may be converted into the square of an integer $t$. Since evidently $$\lambda u<t<(\lambda+1)u$$
- The number ${u}'=t-\lambda u$ is a positive integer certainly less than $u$. If further we put $${t}'=Du-\lambda t$$ ${t}'$ is likewise a positive integer, and we have
$${t}'^2-D{u}'^2=(\lambda^2-D)({t}^2-D{u}^2)$$
- Which is contrary to the assumption respecting $u$ [step 2].
My question
For the life of me I do not understand how ${u}'^2$ "by multiplication by $D$, may be converted into the square of an integer $t$" when it is clearly 'converted' to ${t}'^2$, which in turn, clearly $\neq t^2$.
Can anyone explain this part to me?
The property isn't about that $t$ but about any possible $t$. $t'$ is a possible "$t$".
Perhaps we should put it in this overly fussy way.
That's overly stilted but that is what they are trying to express.
======
Okay. I'd translate this proof.
As $D$ is not a perfect square there is an integer $n$ (the text used $\lambda$) so that $n^2 < D < (n+1)^2$.
Book claims: There is no rational $q$ so that $D = q^2$.
The book outline goes like this:
If $(\frac tu)^2 = D$ and $\frac tu$ is in lowest terms;
Then
So either we have two rational numbers both squaring to $D$ or that $\frac tu$ was not in lowest terms. Either one is a contradiction.
So is the claim true?
And the proof will use extensively that
So
Well $\frac {t^2}{u^2} = D$ so
$t^2 = Du^2$
And $n^2 < D < (n+1)^2$ so
$n^2u^2 < Du^2 < t^2 < (n+1)^2u^2$ and
$nu < t < (n+1)u$
$0 < t-nu =u' < (n+1)u -nu = u$
So yes it is.
Well $(\frac {t'}{u'})^2= D \iff \frac {t'^2}{u'^2} = D\iff$
$t'^2 - u'^2D = 0$.
Well $t'^2 - u'^2D = (Du-tn)^2 -(t-nu)^2D =$
$(D^2u^2 - 2Dutn + t^2n^2) - (Dt^2 -2Dutn + Dn^2u^2)=$
$D^2u^2 + t^2n^2 - Dt^2 + Dn^2u^2 =$
$n^2(t^2 -Du^2)- D(t^2-Du^2) =$
$(n^2 -D)(t^2 - Du^2)$
So $t'^2 - u'^2D = (n^2-D)*0 = 0$.
So $\frac {t'^2}{u'^2} = D$.
And that's that.
If there is a rational number, $q$, so that $q^2 = D$ that books claims would be true which would be a contradiction