TITLE: Prove that for all $n\in\mathbb{N}$, $\sqrt{n(n+1)}$ is not an integer.
QUESTION [5 upvotes]: I'm sure this is a very simple proof but I can't seem to get it right. I tried to do it by induction but get stuck trying to show that $\sqrt{(k+1)(k+2)}$ is not an integer and also cannot seem to do it through other methods. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks so much in advance!

REPLY [12 votes]: Despite being about $n\in\Bbb{N}$, induction doesn't work too great here.
Instead, how about trying to identify the nearest integers... in particular, you should be able to show
$$n<\sqrt{n(n+1)}<n+1$$
for $n\in\Bbb{N}$

REPLY [4 votes]: Related approach: If $n(n+1)$ is a square, then $4(n^2+n)=4n^2+4n$ is a square. But so is $4n^2+4n+1=(2n+1)^2$. The difference of two square is $1$ when...

REPLY [2 votes]: $(n+1)^2 > n(n+1) > n^2$ taking square roots $n+1 > \sqrt{n(n+1)} > n$, and there is no integer between $n$ and $n+1$.