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F2) Definition of Rational Number

The document defines rational and irrational numbers, with rational numbers being those that can be expressed as fractions of integers and irrational numbers being any numbers that are not rational. It provides examples of converting recurring decimals to fractions and simplifying expressions in surd form. Finally, it discusses rationalizing expressions by converting denominators into rational numbers through multiplication.

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22 views

F2) Definition of Rational Number

The document defines rational and irrational numbers, with rational numbers being those that can be expressed as fractions of integers and irrational numbers being any numbers that are not rational. It provides examples of converting recurring decimals to fractions and simplifying expressions in surd form. Finally, it discusses rationalizing expressions by converting denominators into rational numbers through multiplication.

Uploaded by

PolyU CPM
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Definition of Rational Number (有理數的定義)

𝑝
 Any number that can be expressed as the fraction (分數) ⁄𝑞 of two integers (整數),

a numerator (分子) p and a non-zero denominator (非零的分母) q.


 In other words, a number that can be made by dividing two integers. (An integer is a
number with no fractional part.)
 For examples, 0.1 (decimal 小數), 0. 3̇ (repeating / recurring decimal 循環小數),

1⁄ (fraction 分數), 5 (integer 整數), √4 ……


2
Definition of Irrational Number (無理數的定義)
 Any number that is not rational number.
 For examples, 𝜋 (圓周率), √2 (surd 不盡根), 𝑒 (Euler's number 歐拉數) ……

Convert recurring decimal (循環小數) into fraction (分數)：


1. Multiply the recurring decimal by a power of 10, i.e. 10𝑛 (n is a positive integer)
2. Subtract the recurring decimal from the product (積) above.
3. Divide the difference (差) above by (10𝑛 − 1). (P.S.分母是 9 的倍數)
E.g. 0. 3̇ × 1 − 0. 3̇ × 10 = 3. 3̇ − 0. 3̇
E.g. 0. 3̇ × 10 − 0. 3̇ × 1 = 3. 3̇ − 0. 3̇
E.g. 0. 3̇ × (10 − 1) = 3
3 1
∴ 0. 3̇ = =
9 3

Simplify the expression in surd form / Express surds in the simplest form (根式化簡)：
 What you need to do is prime factorization (質因數分解)
 E.g.1) √8 = √23 = √22 × 2 = √22 × √2 = 2√2
 E.g.2) √60 = √22 × 3 × 5 = √22 × √3 × 5 = 2√15

Rationalize the expression / Rationalization (有理化)


 Convert the denominator (分母) into rational number (有理數).
 In order to keep the original number (原數) unchanged (不變), you can ONLY
multiply the number by 1, which can be expressed as any fraction (numerator =
denominator).
Keys / Remainders：
 Somethings you learn before
 (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2
 (𝑎 + 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2
 (𝑎 − 𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 − 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏2
 (𝑎𝑏)2 = 𝑎2 𝑏 2
 Somethings new
 √𝑎 × √𝑏 = √𝑎 × 𝑏 = √𝑎𝑏
√𝑎 𝑎
 =√
√𝑏 𝑏

2
 𝑎 = √𝑎 × √𝑎 = √𝑎2 = (√𝑎)

 √𝑎 is positive ONLY but the solution of 𝑎2 can be positive or negative


 𝑎2 ≮ 0 ≡ 𝑎2 ≥ 0 ⟹ √𝑎, where 𝑎 must be a non-negative number.
 The actual meaning of square root
1⁄
 √𝑛 = 𝑛 2 (The INDEX is equal to 1⁄2)

 Pythagoras Theorem / Pythagorean Theorem (畢氏定理) (Pyth. Thm.)


 Right-angled triangle 直角三角形
 𝑐 2 = 𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 (𝑐 is hypotenuse 直角三角形的斜邊)

Some tips / hints about Rationalization：


𝑛 𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
= ×1 = ×1
√𝑎 − √𝑏 √𝑎 − √𝑏 √𝑎 + √𝑏 √𝑎 + √𝑏
𝑛 𝑛 √𝑎 + √𝑏 𝑛 𝑛 √𝑎 − √𝑏
= × = ×
√𝑎 − √𝑏 √𝑎 − √𝑏 √𝑎 + √𝑏 √𝑎 − √𝑏 √𝑎 + √𝑏 √𝑎 − √𝑏

𝑛 𝑛(√𝑎 + √𝑏 ) 𝑛 𝑛(√𝑎 − √𝑏 )
= =
√𝑎 − √𝑏 𝑎 − √𝑏 √𝑎 − √𝑏 𝑎 + √𝑏

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