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Claim: If $m/n$ is a good approximation of $\sqrt{2}$ then $(m+2n)/(m+n)$ is better.

My attempt at the proof:

Let d be the distance between $\sqrt{2}$ and some estimate, s.

So we have $d=s-\sqrt{2}$

Define $d'=m/n-\sqrt{2}$ and $d''=(m+2n)/(m+n)-\sqrt{2}$

To prove the claim, show $d''

Substituting in for d' and d'' yields:

$\sqrt{2}

This result doesn't make sense to me, and I was wondering whether there is an other way I could approach the proof or if I am missing something.

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    The problem with your approach is that you are assuming that both $m/n$ and $(m+2n)/(m+n)$ are larger than $\sqrt2$, while this needs not be the case. In fact, the approximations will alternate. For example: If we start with m/n=1<\sqrt2, then (m+2n)/(m+n)=3/2>\sqrt2, while if $m/n=3/2$, then (m+2n)/(m+n)=7/5<\sqrt2.2012-11-19

3 Answers 3

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Hint: Compare $\left|\dfrac{m^2}{n^2}-2\right|$ with $\left|\dfrac{(m+2n)^2}{(m+n)^2}-2\right|$. We need to take absolute values, because if one approximation is too big, the other turns out to be too small, and vice-versa.

Bring the expressions to the denominators $n^2$ and $(m+n)^2$ respectively. So the first becomes $\left|\dfrac{m^2-2n^2}{n^2}\right|$.

Make sure to expand the squares in the second one. The second one will simplify an awful lot: I will leave the pleasure to you. The result will jump out.

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    @EuYu I would suggest trying what is suggested. If the square is closer to 2, the square root will be closer to the square root of 2.2012-11-19