Problem: If two real numbers and satisfy the equation , then:
Answer Choices:
A. and where a means that can take any value greater than a or equal to a
B. can equal 1
C. both x and y must be irrational
D. x and y cannot both be integers
E. both x and y must be rational
Solution:
Solving for , we have . Solving for , we have , so that . or and (A) is the answer. Note that choice (B) was quickly eliminated. The values rule out choices (D) and (C). The values rule out (E).