Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2025/ia/paper-4/5f/solution

If were rational, squaring would make rational, a contradiction. Also
so it is irrational but algebraic, satisfying .
For lattice vertices , the triangle area is
a half-integer. Triangulating a convex lattice polygon from one vertex makes its area rational.
A regular octagon of side length has area . Lattice endpoints make a positive integer, so this area would be irrational, contradicting the preceding result. Hence no such octagon exists.

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