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Home > Articles > Rational Numbers: Definition, Properties, Types, Arithmetic Operations, Multiplicative Inverse, and Difference Between Rational and Irrational
Updated on 29th August, 2023 , 5 min read
A rational number is a sort of real number that takes the form p/q and is not equal to zero. A rational number is any fraction with non-zero denominators. Examples of rational numbers are 1/2, 1/5, 3/4, and so on. The number "0" is also a rational number since it may be represented in a variety of ways, including 0/1, 0/2, 0/3, and so on. However, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, and so on are not reasonable because they offer us unlimited values.
In mathematics, a rational number is any integer that can be expressed in the form p/q where q = 0. Furthermore, every fraction that has an integer denominator and a numerator that is not equal to zero falls into the category of rational numbers. When a rational number (i.e., a fraction) is divided, the output is in decimal form, which can be either ending or repeating.
A rational number is one that can be expressed as p/q, where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero. So, a rational number can be-
where q is not zero.
The following table shows examples of rational numbers-
The following conditions are needed to see if a number is rational or not-
Because a rational number is a subset of a real number, it will obey all of the real number system's characteristics. The following are some of the most important features of rational numbers-
A number is rational if it can be written as a fraction with both the denominator and numerator being integers and the denominator being non-zero. The below image explains the number sets in further detail-
The standard form of a rational number is defined as having no common factors other than one between the dividend and divisor and thus being positive. For example, 14/38 is a rational number. However, it may be reduced to 7/19 because the divisor and dividend share just one common element. As a result, the rational number 7/19 is in standard form.
Arithmetic operations are the fundamental operations we perform on integers in mathematics. Rational numbers can be added, subtracted, multiplied, and divided as well. These four operations on rational numbers are as follows-
Adding two rational numbers is equivalent to adding two fractions. To add two rational numbers, we just match their denominators, and then add them.
Example: 1/3 + 2/7 = (7+6)/21 = 13/21
Similar to addition, we first match the denominators and then subtract.
Example: 1/3 - 4/6 = 2 - 4/6 = - 2/6 = -1/3
To multiply two rational numbers, multiply their numerators and denominators independently, then simplify the resulting fraction.
Example: 1/6 × - 5/7 = (1 × - 5)/(6 × 7) = - 5/42
The division is accomplished by multiplying the first fraction (dividend) by the reciprocal of the second fraction (divisor)-
p/q ÷ r/s = p/q × s/r
Example: 1/4 ÷ 3/4 = 1/4 × 4/3 = …
Because the rational number is represented as a fraction in the form p/q, the multiplicative inverse of the rational number is the reciprocal of the provided fraction. For example, if 6/5 is a rational integer, then the multiplicative inverse of 6/5 is 5/6, resulting in (6/5) x (5/6) = 1.
Between two rational numbers, there exists an unlimited number of rational numbers. Two distinct strategies may be used to easily get the rational numbers between two rational numbers. The following are the two distinct techniques-
Determine the equivalent fraction for the given rational numbers and the rational numbers in between. Those figures should be reasonable.
Determine the mean value of the two rational numbers given. The needed rational number should be the mean value. Repeat the method using the old and newly obtained rational numbers to find more rational numbers.
Irrational numbers are those that are not rational numbers. They are symbolized by the symbol Q' (Q dash). The following are the distinctions between rational and irrational numbers-
The following are some of the tips and tricks of rational numbers-
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By - Nikita Parmar 2024-09-06 10:59:22 , 6 min readAns. Yes, all integers are rational numbers since rational numbers comprise all natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, terminating decimals, and fractions of the form p/q where 'p' and 'q' are integers and q should not equal 0.
Ans. Yes, all whole numbers are rational numbers since rational numbers comprise all natural numbers, whole numbers, integers, terminating decimals, and fractions of the form p/q where 'p' and 'q' are integers and q should not equal 0.
Ans. A rational number is one that has the form p/q, where p and q are integers and q is greater than zero. Some rational number examples are 1/3, 2/4, 1/5, 9/3, and so on.
Ans. Yes, 0 is a rational number since it can be written as 0/1, where 0 and 1 are integers and the denominator is greater than zero.
Ans. No, the number Pi (π) is not a rational number. It is an irrational number with a value of 3.142857.
Ans. Rational numbers do not begin with any particular number. They contain all-natural numbers, whole numbers, and integers, as well as terminating decimals and fractions that may be expressed as p/q when q is greater than zero.
Ans. Yes, because it is an integer that may be represented in any form, such as 0/1, 0/2, where b is a non-zero integer, and 0 is a rational number. It may be expressed as p/q = 0/1. As a result, we may infer that 0 is a rational number.