Exercise 4.4.5

In 1873 Hermite proved that the number e is transcendental over , and in 1882, Lindemann showed that π is transcendental over . It is unknown whether π + e and π e are transcendental. Prove that at least one of these numbers is transcendental over .

Answers

Proof. If π + e and π e were both algebraic, then π + e , π e ¯ . As ¯ is a field containing , we should have

π = 1 2 ( ( π + e ) + ( π e ) )

element of ¯ , which is false.

At least one of the numbers π + e , π e is transcendental over . □

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2022-07-19 00:00
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