A useful application of Brun's irrationality criterion (Q2258864): Difference between revisions

\textit{V. Brun} in [Arch. Math. Naturvid. 31, No. 3, 6 p. (1910; Zbl 1234.11092)] proved the following theorem. Let \((x_n)\) and \((y_n)\) be strictly increasing sequences of positive integers such that the sequence \(\bigl(\frac{x_n}{y_n}\bigr)\) is strictly increasing and the sequence \(\bigl(\frac{x_{n+1}-x_n}{y_{n+1}-y_n}\bigr)\) is strictly decreasing. Then the number \(\lim\limits_{n\to\infty}\frac{x_n}{y_n}\) is irrational. This theorem has a simple geometric interpretation in terms of lattice points \((x_n,y_n)\). However, it is difficult to find some sequences \((x_n)\) and \((y_n)\) such that this theorem is applicable. In the present paper the author uses Brun's theorem to prove the irrationality of \(\zeta(3)\). Apéry's original sequence of approximants of \(\zeta(3)\) does not satisfy the assumptions of Brun's theorem. The present author constructs a subsequence of Apéry's sequence which satisfies all the assumptions and Brun's theorem is applicable to it.