Rational Numbers
A number of the form p/q, where p and q are integers
and q
≠
0, is called a rational number. All the natural numbers, whole numbers and integers can be written in the form of p/q by taking 1 as the denominator. For example, 2 = 2/1, 0 = 0/1, -6 = -6/1. Thus, they are rational numbers. Fractions are also the examples of rational numbers.
Rational Numbers Symbol
Rational numbers are the superset of the set of natural numbers, whole numbers, integers and fractions. It is denoted by the symbol Q. It can written as:
Q = {2, -6,1/4 , -4/7, 0.43, -0.27, -185, -2/5, 431, 5/11, 0.416, -0.425, 1/7}
Rational Numbers Examples
A fraction is
always a rational number where as a rational number may or may not be a
fraction. All fractions are rational number because in fraction p, q are natural
numbers and all natural numbers are integers.
What about decimal numbers say
0.3, 0.4, 6.5, etc.? Each of the decimals can be represented as fraction say
0.3 = 3/10, 0.4 = 4/10, 6.5 = 65/10. Hence, all decimal numbers are rational
numbers. A rational number may be positive, zero or negative.
Thus, rational numbers examples are:
5, -8,1/2 , -5/7, 0.49, -0.25, -385, -2/3, 435, 5/9, 0.316, -0.225, 1/9, -12/31, 0, -492654, etc.
All natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, fractions, terminating decimals and their negatives are rational numbers.
What are Rational Numbers?
As you have seen above that a number that can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0, is called a rational number.
Positive rational numbers
If both the numerator and the denominator of a rational
number are either positive or negative integers, then the rational number is
called a positive
rational number.
For example, 5/9, 4/15, –3/–5,
etc.
Zero: Zero is a
rational number as 0 is written as 0/1.
Negative rational numbers
A rational number is said to be negative, if the numerator
and the denominator have
opposite signs.
For example, –2/5 , 4/–7, –5/7,
1/–3, etc., are negative rational numbers.
Rational Numbers Definition
Rational numbers are defined as: A number which can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0, is called a rational number.
For example, 7 = 7/1 is a rational number.
0 = 0/5 is a rational number.
-3 = -3/1 is a rational number.
Representation of Rational Numbers on the Number Line
We know
how to represent integers and fractions on the number line. In the same way, rational number
can also be represented on the number line.
Draw a line and choose any point
0 on it to represent zero. The positive rational numbers are represented on the
part of line lying to the right of zero and the negative rational numbers are
represented on the part of the line lying to the left of zero.
As in the case of integers the
pairs 1 and –1, 2 and –2, 3 and –3, etc., are equidistant from 0, in the same
way the rational numbers 1/4 and – 1/4 , 3/4 and – 3/4 , 5/4 and –5/4, etc., are equidistant from 0.
Standard Form of Rational Numbers
A rational number of the form p/q is said to be
in standard form if p and q have no common
factor other than 1 and q is a positive integer.
For example, consider the
rational number 15/–35.
(15 ÷ –5)/(–35 ÷ –5) = –3/7
Thus, 15/–35 when written as –3/7
is said to be a rational number in the standard form.
Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers
To compare and order the
rational numbers, follow these steps:
1. Write the rational numbers in
the standard form, i.e., with positive denominator.
2. Find the LCM of the
denominators.
3. Write the equivalent rational
number of each rational number with common
denominator as the LCM obtained
in step 2.
4. Arrange the rational numbers
according to the numerators in ascending or descending order.
Example: Arrange the
following rational numbers in ascending order:
4/–9, –7/12, 11/–8, –2/3
Solution: 1. The given
rational numbers can be written in standard form as:
–4/9 , –7/12, –11/18 , –2/3
2. LCM of 9, 12, 18 and 3 is 36.
3. Write the equivalent rational number of each rational number with common
denominator as the LCM obtained.
Properties of Rational Numbers
1. Closure
Property: Rational numbers are closed under addition, subtraction and
multiplication. For
two rational numbers a and b, a + b, a – b and a × b
are also rational numbers.
2. Commutative
Property: Rational numbers are commutative under addition and
multiplication. For
two rational numbers a and b, a + b = b + a and a × b
= b × a.
3. Associative
Property: Rational numbers are associative under addition and
multiplication. For three
rational numbers a, b and c, a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c and a ×
(b × c) = (a × b) × c
4. Additive
Identity: The rational number 0 is the additive identity, i.e., if a is a rational
number, then a + 0 = 0 + a = a.
5. Multiplicative
Identity: The rational number 1 is the multiplicative identity, i.e., If a
is a rational
number, then a × 1 = 1 × a = a.
6. Additive
Inverse: If p/q is a rational
number, then – p/q is its additive
inverse, i.e.,
p/q +
(– p/q) = 0.
7. Multiplicative
Inverse: The multiplicative inverse of p/q is q/p, since p/q × q/p = 1.
8. Distributive
Property: If a, b and c are
rational number, then a(b + c) = a × b + a × c
and a(b – c) =
a × b – a × c.
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