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Rational Numbers Notes

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Deborah Schrempel
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19 views5 pages

Rational Numbers Notes

Uploaded by

Deborah Schrempel
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Rational Numbers

Notes
Ms. Schrempel
Twin Lakes Community School
2024 – 2025

What are Rational Numbers?


Rational numbers are numbers that can be expressed as the ratio of two
integers, where the denominator is not equal to zero. A rational number can be
expressed as p/q, where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero. Rational
numbers can be positive, negative, or zero. They are an important concept in
mathematics and are widely used in various fields such as engineering, finance,
and science.

Examples of rational numbers include 1/2, -3/4, 0, 2, and -5. In each case, the
number can be expressed as the ratio of two integers.

Can Decimal Numbers Be Rational?

Yes, but not all of them. Decimals can be either rational or irrational. A decimal
is rational if it can be expressed as the ratio of two integers, where the
denominator is not equal to zero. For example, the decimal 0.5 can be
expressed as the ratio 1/2, so it is a rational number. Similarly, the decimal 0.25
can be expressed as the ratio 1/4, so it is also a rational number.

Are All Negative Numbers Rational?

No, not all negative numbers are rational. A number is considered rational if it
can be expressed as the ratio of two integers, where the denominator is not
equal to zero. Negative numbers can be rational, irrational, or even complex.
Both -3/4 and -5/2 are negative rational numbers, as they can be expressed as
ratios of integers. However, the square root of 2 multiplied by -1, which is
denoted as -√2, is an example of a negative irrational number. This is because
the square root of 2 cannot be expressed as the ratio of two integers, and when
it is multiplied by -1, the resulting number is also irrational.
Are All Integers Rational Numbers?

All integers are also rational numbers. This is because an integer can be
expressed as a ratio of itself and 1. For example, 2 can be written as 2/1 and -5
can be written as -5/1.

Is Zero (0) a Rational Number?

Zero is also considered a rational number, as it can be expressed as the ratio of


0/1. Although the denominator is zero, this is acceptable as the numerator is
also zero.

In conclusion, rational numbers are an essential concept in mathematics and


are used in a wide range of applications. They can be positive, negative, or zero,
and can be expressed as the ratio of two integers. Negative numbers, decimal
numbers, and zero can also be rational. All integers are also rational numbers,
as they can be expressed as a ratio of themselves and 1. Understanding rational
numbers is important for many fields, including finance, science, and
engineering.

Are Fractions Rational Numbers?

Yes, fractions are rational numbers. A rational number is any number that can
be expressed as the ratio of two integers, where the denominator is not zero. A
fraction is a representation of such a ratio, with the numerator being the top
number and the denominator being the bottom number. For example, 3/4 is a
fraction and also a rational number because it can be expressed as the ratio of
two integers (3 and 4).

Irrational Number
An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as a fraction. An
example of an irrational number is π (Pi).
What is an Irrational Number?
An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as a fraction or as a
ratio of two integers. Irrational numbers have decimals that can go on
forever without repeating itself. The most common example of an irrational
number is π (Pi).

Prime square root numbers

The square root of any prime number is an irrational number. A prime


number is a whole number greater than 1 that cannot be divided by any
whole number other than itself and 1. This means there is are an endless
number of irrational numbers that can come from prime square roots.

If we take √2 as an example, if you insert this square root into a calculator,


it comes up with the number 1.41421356237. This is an irrational number
because it is again a decimal that can be endless.

Examples:

√3, √5, √17

0 denominator fractions

Any fractions with a denominator of 0 are classed as irrational numbers. If


we take 7/0 as an example, this is an irrational number because 7 lots of
nothing is still nothing.

Examples:

7/0, 5/0,100/0

Special numbers

These special numbers are irrational numbers because they are decimals
that are endless and do not feature any repeatable number patterns.
Examples:

Pi, π – 3.14159265358979…

Euler’s Number, e – 2.71828182845904…

Golden ratio, φ – 1.61803398874989…

Creating a sum with rational and irrational numbers

Adding a rational number to an irrational number will create another


irrational number. Adding Pi, 0 denominator fractions, prime square root
numbers and special numbers to a whole number will all result in the
creation of a new irrational number. For example, if we take the equation 1
+ √2 this creates an answer of 2.41421356237.

Examples:

3 + √2, π + 2, 4 +√11

Why do we need irrational numbers?


We need irrational numbers because if we only use rational numbers, our
calculations would be extremely limited. Irrational numbers allow us to
study things like continuity and the idea of limits. Irrational numbers are
also an important indication that a calculation may be incorrect or may not
be plausible to apply to real situations.

For example, if you are dividing money or a physical object, and you end
up with an irrational number that has an endless amount of numbers, it
becomes clear that you cannot dive the number this way.

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