1956 AMC 12 Problem 33

Attempt Problem 33 of the 1956 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1956 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

33.

The number 2\sqrt2 is equal to:
a rational fraction
a finite decimal
1.414211.41421
an infinite repeating decimal
an infinite non-repeating decimal
Answer: E
Concepts:irrational numbersdecimal expansionssquare roots
Small hint:
Recall what kind of decimal expansion every rational number has
Big hint:
The number 2\sqrt2 is irrational, so its decimal neither terminates nor repeats
Solution:
The number 2\sqrt2 is irrational. A rational number has a decimal expansion that either terminates or eventually repeats, whereas an irrational number has an infinite non-repeating decimal expansion. The finite decimal 1.414211.41421 is only an approximation.
Thus, the correct answer is E.
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