Chapter 2

Introduction to Real Numbers

and Algebraic Expressions

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 Chapter Outline

2.1 Fractions
2.2 Introduction to Algebra and the Set of
Real Numbers
2.3 Exponents, Square Roots, and the Order of
Operations
2.4 Addition of Real Numbers
2.5 Subtraction of Real Numbers
2.6 Multiplication and Division of Real Numbers
2.7 Properties of Real Numbers and Simplifying
Expressions

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 Section 2.2
Introduction to Algebra and the
Set of Real Numbers

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 Concepts

1. Variables and Expressions

2. The Set of Real Numbers
3. Inequalities
4. Opposite of a Real Number
5. Absolute Value of a Real Number

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 Concept 1

Variables and Expressions

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DEFINITION: Variable, Constant, and
Expression
• A variable is a symbol or letter, such as x, y,
z, a, and the like, that is used to represent an
unknown number that is subject to change.
• A constant does not vary.
• An algebraic expression is a collection of
variables and constants under algebraic
operations.

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Example 1: Evaluating an Algebraic
Expression
The expression 220 − a represents the
maximum recommended heart rate for an adult
of age a. Determine the maximum heart rate
for:
a. A 20-year-old
b. A 45-year-old

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 Skill Practice 1

1. After dining out at a restaurant, the

recommended minimum amount for tipping
the server is 15% of the cost of the meal.
This can be represented by the expression
0.15c,where c is the cost of the meal.
Compute the tip for a meal that costs:
a. $18
b. $46

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 Example 2: Evaluating Algebraic
Expression
Evaluate the algebraic expression when
3
p  4 and q 
4
a. 100 − p
b. pq

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 Skill Practice 2

Evaluate the algebraic expression when

x = 5 and y = 2.
2. 20 − y
3. xy

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 Concept 2

The Set of Real Numbers

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 Example 3: Plotting Points on the
Real Number Line
Plot the numbers on the real number line.

a.  3
3
b.
2
c.  4.7
16
d.
5

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 Skill Practice 3

Plot the numbers on the real number line.

 3 10 
4.  1, ,  2.5, 
 4 3 

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Natural Numbers, Whole Numbers,
and Integers
The set of natural numbers is {1, 2, 3, . . . }
The set of whole numbers is {0, 1, 2, 3, . . . }
The set of integers is {. . . −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2,
3, . . . }

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 Rational Numbers

• The set of rational numbers is the set of

p
numbers that can be expressed in the form ,
q
where both p and q are integers and q
does not equal 0.

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 Example 4: Identifying Rational
Numbers
Show that the following numbers are rational
numbers by finding an equivalent ratio of two
integers.

2
a.
3
b.  12
c. 0.5
d. 0.6

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 Skill Practice 4

Show that each number is rational by finding an

equivalent ratio of two integers.
3
5.
7
6.  5
7. 0.3
8. 0.3

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 Irrational Numbers

• The set of irrational numbers is a subset of

the real numbers whose elements cannot be
written as a ratio of two integers.
• Note: An irrational number cannot be written
as a terminating decimal or as a repeating
decimal.

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 Real Numbers
Figure 2-6

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Example 5: Classifying Numbers by
Set
Check the set(s) to which each number belongs.
The numbers may belong to more than one set.

Natural Whole Rational Irrational Real

Integers
Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers
5
 47
3
1.48
7
0

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 Skill Practice 5

Identify the sets to which each number belongs.

Choose from: natural numbers, whole numbers,
integers, rational numbers, irrational numbers,
real numbers
9.  4
10. 0.7
11. 13
12. 12
13. 0

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Concept 3

Inequalities

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Example 6: Ordering Real Numbers
(1 of 2)
The average temperatures (in degrees Celsius)
for selected cities in the United States and
Canada in January are shown in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2
City Temperature (°Celsius)
Prince George, British Columbia −12.5
Corpus Christi, Texas −13.4
Parkersburg, West Virginia −0.9
San Jose, California 9.7
Juneau, Alaska −5.7
New Bedford, Massachusetts −0.2
Durham, North Carolina 4.2

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Example 6: Ordering Real Numbers
(2 of 2)
Plot a point on the real number line representing
the temperature of each city. Compare the
temperatures between the following cities, and
fill in the blank with the appropriate inequality
sign: < or >.

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 Skill Practice 6

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate inequality

sign: <or>.
14. −11 ________ 20
15. −3 ________ −6
16. 0 _________ −9
17. −6.2 ________ −1.8

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 Concept 4

Opposite of a Real Number

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 The Opposite of a Real Number

• Two numbers that are the same distance from

0 but on opposite sides of 0 on the number
line are called opposites of each other.
• Symbolically, we denote the opposite of a real
number a as −a.

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Example 7: Finding the Opposite of a
Real Number
a. Find the opposite of 5.
4
b. Find the opposite of  .
7

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 Skill Practice 7

Find the Opposite.

18. 224
19. −3.4

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Example 8: Finding the Opposite of a

Real Number
Evaluate each expression.
a.  (0.46)
 11 
b.    
 3

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 Skill Practice 8

Evaluate.

20.  2.8
 1
21.    
 5

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 Concept 5

Absolute Value of a Real Number

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Informal Definition of the Absolute
Value of a Real Number
The absolute value of a real number a,
denoted a ,
is the distance between a and 0 on the number
line.
Note: The absolute value of any real number is
positive or zero.

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 Example 9: Finding the Absolute
Value of a Real Number
Evaluate the absolute value expression.

a.  4
1
b.
2
c.  6.2
d. 0

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 Skill Practice 9

Evaluate.

22.  99
7
23.
8
24.  1.4
25. 1

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 Absolute Value of a Real Number

Let a be a real number. Then

1. If a is nonnegative (that is, a 0), then | a | a.
2. If a is negative (that is, a  0), then a   a.

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 Example 10: Comparing Absolute
Value Expressions
Determine if the statements are true or false.

a. 3  3
b.  5   5

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 Skill Practice 10

Answer true or false.

26.  | 4 |  |  4 |
27. |  17 | 17

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