The number $\sqrt {2}$ is equal to: 
$\textbf{(A)}\ \text{a rational fraction} \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ \text{a finite decimal} \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 1.41421 \\ \textbf{(D)}\ \text{an infinite repeating decimal} \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ \text{an infinite non - repeating decimal}$
$2$ is not a perfect square, so $\sqrt{2}$ is irrational. The answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(E)}\ \text{an infinite non - repeating decimal}}.$
~coolmath34