Open Middle®
Directions: Using the digits 0 to 9, at most one time each, place a digit in each box to make the greatest possible irrational number.
Hint
How can you tell whether an irrational number is greater or less than an integer?
Answer
The greatest possible irrational number you can make without repeating a digit is √76 is greater than 8 and less than 9.
Source: Robert Kaplinsky
The students in my Block 3 class found a solution greater than sqrt(76):
1 < sqrt(80) < 9
My students want me to mention our school name (California School of the Arts – San Gabriel Valley).
They are very proud of themselves =).
Can’t it be 87 which is more than 9 but less than 10? That doesn’t repeat a digit.