The notation ℚ(√3) represents a mathematical concept known as a field extension. Specifically, it is the set of all numbers that can be formed by taking rational numbers from the field ℚ and adding or multiplying them with the square root of 3. This means that any number in ℚ(√3) can be expressed in the form a + b√3, where a and b are rational numbers. In this context, ℚ is the field of rational numbers, which includes fractions like 1/2 and whole numbers like 3. The square root of 3, denoted as √3, is an irrational number, meaning it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction. Thus, ℚ(√3) contains both rational numbers and combinations of these with √3, expanding the number system to include new values.