In Maths, a rational number is a type of real numbers, which is in the form of p/q where q is not equal to zero. Any fraction with non-zero denominators is a rational number.
In this article, we will learn about what is a rational number, the properties of rational numbers along with its types, the difference between rational and irrational numbers, and solved examples.
It helps to understand the concepts in a better way.
Also, learn the various rational number examples and learn how to find rational numbers in a better way.
To represent rational numbers on a number line, we need to simplify and write in the decimal form first.
Table Of Contents-
1.
What is a rational number?
2.
How to identify rational numbers
3.
Examples of rational numbers
4.
Types of rational numbers
5.
Arithmetic operations on rational numbers
6.
Multiplication inverse of rational numbers
7.
Rational numbers properties
8.
Rational Numbers and irrational numbers
What is a Rational Number?
A rational number, in Mathematics, can be defined as any number which can be represented in the form of p/q where q ≠ 0.
Also, we can say that any fraction fits under the category of rational numbers, where the denominator and numerator are integers and the denominator is not equal to zero. When the rational number (i.e., fraction) is divided, the result will be in decimal form, which may be either terminating decimal or the repeating decimal.
How to identify rational numbers?
To identify if a number is rational or not, check the below conditions.
- It is represented in the form of p/q, where q≠0.
- The ratio p/q can be further simplified and represented in decimal form.
The set of rational numerals:
- Include positive, negative numbers, and zero
- Can be expressed as a fraction
Examples of Rational Numbers:
|
p |
q | p/q |
Rational |
|
10 |
2 | 10/2 =5 |
Rational |
|
1 |
1000 | 1/1000 = 0.001 |
Rational |
|
50 |
10 | 50/10 = 5 |
Rational |
Types of Rational Numbers
A number is rational if we can write it as a fraction, where both denominator and numerator are integers and the denominator is a non-zero number.
- Real numbers (R) include all the rational numbers (Q).
- Real numbers include the integers (Z).
- Integers involve natural numbers(N).
- Every whole number is a rational number because every whole number can be expressed as a fraction.
Standard Form of Rational Numbers
The standard form of a rational number can be defined if it’s no common factors aside from one between the dividend and divisor and therefore the divisor is positive.
For example, 12/36 is a rational number.
But it can be simplified as 1/3; common factors between the divisor and dividend is only one.
So we can say that rational number ⅓ is in standard form.
Positive and Negative Rational Numbers
As we know that the rational number is in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers. Also, q should be a non-zero integer. The rational number can be either positive or negative. If the rational number is positive, both p and q are positive integers. If the rational number takes the form -(p/q), then either p or q takes the negative value. It means that
-(p/q) = (-p)/q = p/(-q).
Now, let’s discuss some of the examples of positive and negative rational numbers.
| Positive Rational Numbers | Negative Rational Numbers |
|---|---|
| If both the numerator and denominator are of the same signs. | If numerator and denominator are of opposite signs. |
| All are greater than 0 | All are less than 0 |
| Examples of positive rational numbers: 12/17, 9/11 and 3/5 | Examples of negative rational numbers: -2/17, 9/-11 and -1/5. |
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Arithmetic Operations on Rational Numbers
In Maths, arithmetic operations are the basic operations we perform on integers.
Let us discuss here how we can perform these operations on rational numbers, say p/q and s/t.
Addition: When we add p/q and s/t, we need to make the denominator the same. Hence, we get (pt+qs)/qt.
Example: 1/2 + 3/4 = (2+3)/4 = 5/4
Subtraction: Similarly, if we subtract p/q and s/t, then also, we need to make the denominator same, first, and then do the subtraction.
Example: 1/2 – 3/4 = (2-3)/4 = -1/4
Multiplication: In case of multiplication, while multiplying two rational numbers, the numerator and denominators of the rational numbers are multiplied, respectively. If p/q is multiplied by s/t, then we get (p×s)/(q×t).
Example: 1/2 × 3/4 = (1×3)/(2×4) = 3/8
Division: If p/q is divided by s/t, then it is represented as:
(p/q)÷(s/t) = pt/qs
Example: 1/2 ÷ 3/4 = (1×4)/(2×3) = 4/6 = 2/3
Multiplicative Inverse of Rational Numbers
As the rational number is represented in the form p/q, which is a fraction, then the multiplicative inverse of the rational number is the reciprocal of the given fraction.
For example, 4/7 is a rational number, then the multiplicative inverse of the rational number 4/7 is 7/4, such that (4/7)x(7/4) = 1
Rational Numbers Properties
Since a rational number is a subset of the real number, the rational number will obey all the properties of the real number system. Some of the important properties of the rational numbers are as follows:
- The results are always a rational number if we multiply, add, or subtract any two rational numbers.
- A rational number remains the same if we divide or multiply both the numerator and denominator with the same factor.
- If we add zero to a rational number then we will get the same number itself.
- Rational numbers are closed under addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
Rational Numbers and Irrational Numbers
There is a difference between rational numbers and irrational numbers.
A fraction with non-zero denominators is called a rational number.
The number ½ is a rational number because it is read as integer 1 divided by integer 2. All the numbers that are not rational are called irrational.
Rationals can be either positive, negative or zero.
While specifying a negative rational number, the negative sign is either in front or with the numerator of the number, which is the standard mathematical notation.
For example, we denote negative of 5/2 as -5/2.
An irrational number cannot be written as a simple fraction but can be represented with a decimal. It has endless non-repeating digits after the decimal point. Some of the common irrational numbers are:
Pi (π) = 3.142857…
Euler’s Number (e) = 2.7182818284590452…….
√2 = 1.414213…
How to Find the Rational Numbers between Two Rational Numbers?
There are “n” numbers of rational numbers between two rational numbers. The rational numbers between two rational numbers can be found easily using two different methods. Now, let us have a look at the two different methods.
Method 1:
Find out the equivalent fraction for the given rational numbers and find out the rational numbers in between them. Those numbers should be the required rational numbers.
Method 2:
Find out the mean value for the two given rational numbers. The mean value should be the required rational number. In order to find more rational numbers, repeat the same process with the old and the newly obtained rational numbers.
Solved Examples
Example 1:
Identify each of the following as irrational or rational: ¾ , 90/12007, 12 and √5.
Solution:
Since a rational number is the one that can be expressed as a ratio. This indicates that it can be expressed as a fraction wherein both denominator and numerator are whole numbers.
- ¾ is a rational number as it can be expressed as a fraction. 3/4 = 0.75
- Fraction 90/12007 is rational.
- 12, also be written as 12/1. Again a rational number.
- Value of √5 = 2.2360679775…….. It is a non-terminating value and hence cannot be written as a fraction. It is an irrational number.
Example 2:
Identify whether mixed fraction, 11/2 is a rational number.
Solution:
The Simplest form of 11/2 is 3/2
Numerator = 3, which is an integer
Denominator = 2, is an integer and not equal to zero.
So, yes, 3/2 is a rational number.
What are rational numbers? Give Examples.
What is the difference between rational and irrational numbers?
Is 0 a rational number?
Is 7 a rational number?
Is 9 a rational number?
Find a rational number between 3 and 4.
= 7/2
