[Math] Conjecture: if $a+b$ and $ab$ are rational, $a$ and $b$ are rational

examples-counterexamplesirrational-numbersproof-verification

I can't find a rigorous proof but I have a feeling it's true.

Informal argument: Suppose $a+b$ and $ab$ are rational, $a$ and $b$ are irrational (since just one can't be irrational). Then $a$ and $b$ must have irrational "parts" that "cancel out" eg. $a = \frac4\pi$, $b = \pi$, $ab = 4$, which is rational. But then $a + b$ ends up being irrational, since the denominator has the irrational part squared and the numerator does not.

Obviously, this isn't a proper proof at all, but I can't think of any examples of numbers where this argument wouldn't hold true. Can someone provide a proof or counterexample?

Best Answer

It is not true:

$$ a = 1 - \sqrt 2, \\ b = 1 + \sqrt 2 \\ a + b = 2, \\ a b = 1 - 2 = -1 $$

$a + b$ and $a b$ are rational, but $a$ and $b$ are not rational.

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