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Rational Numbers

The document discusses rational numbers, defining them as any number that can be expressed as a fraction with integers as the numerator and denominator. It explores operations with integers and why fractions are needed. Techniques for ordering and comparing rational numbers are presented, including using the comparison property of rational numbers and considering whether the numerators or denominators are the same.

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John Christian Santos
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35 views

Rational Numbers

The document discusses rational numbers, defining them as any number that can be expressed as a fraction with integers as the numerator and denominator. It explores operations with integers and why fractions are needed. Techniques for ordering and comparing rational numbers are presented, including using the comparison property of rational numbers and considering whether the numerators or denominators are the same.

Uploaded by

John Christian Santos
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 DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GRADE 7 MATHEMATICS

RATIONAL NUMBERS

DEFINING A RATIONAL NUMBER

Explore

Perform these operations


3+6=¿ ¿ 3 ∙ 6=¿ ¿
3−6=¿ ¿ 3 ÷ 6=¿ ¿

 When adding or subtracting integers, the result is always an integer.


 When multiplying integers, the result is always an integer.
 When dividing integers, is the result always an integer?

Consider these examples:

2 1 3 1 4 1
2 ÷10= = 3 ÷ 12= = 4 ÷12= =
10 5 12 4 12 3

In each case, the result is a fraction. There is a need to learn about a bigger set of numbers known as the set of
rational numbers.

a
A rational number is any number that can be expressed in the form , where a and b are integers, and b ≠ 0.
b

ORDERING RATIONAL NUMBERS

Explore

JC bought four items in the market. Which item did he buy the most? the least?

1 1
beef: 1 kg onions: kg
2 2

3 4
fish: kg tomatoes: kg
4 5

Let us arrange the numbers in descending order, meaning from highest to lowest.

1 1
1 =¿ =¿
2 2

3 4
=¿ =¿
4 5
1 4 3 1
Clearly, 1 > > > . So, JC bought beef the most and onions the least.
2 5 4 2

Let us show these numbers on the number line.

1 4 1 4
1 is to the right of . Hence, 1 > .
2 5 2 5

4 1 4 1
is to the right of . Hence, > .
5 2 5 2

4 3 4 3
is to the right of . Hence, > .
5 4 5 4

There are techniques that you can use when comparing and ordering fractions.
1. When the denominators are the same
3 4 5 ,∧5
In , , , the fraction with the bigger numerator has a greater value.
7 7 7 7
6 5 4 3
Thus, > > > .
7 7 7 7

2. When the numerators are the same


5 5 5 ,∧5
In , , , the fraction with the smaller denominator has a greater value.
3 4 5 6
5 5 5 5
Thus, > > > .
3 4 5 6

3. When neither the numerators nor the denominators are the same, use the comparison property of
rational numbers.

Comparison Property of Rational Numbers

a c
For any rational numbers and , with b> 0 and d >0 :
b b
a c
1. If < , then ad <bc .
b d
a c
2. If ad <bc , then < .
b d

To illustrate, let us compare these fractions.


EXERCISES

Arrange the following fractions in ascending order.


2 7 5 4
a. 9 , 9 , 9 , 9

10 10 10 10
b. , , ,
3 7 5 4

−1 2 3 1
c. 3
,− ,− ,−
5 8 2

−2 3 1 4
d. 5
,− ,− ,−
4 3 7

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