What

does it mean to be rational?

Source: Weber, David, et al. MYP Mathematics. A Concept-Based Approach. Oxford University Press, 2018.

Some examples of rational and irrational numbers are given in the table below.

1. Based on these examples, how would you define a rational number? How would you define an
irrational number? Compare your definition with your table group.













2. Complete this table. Use technology to represent each number in decimal form and classify
each as rational or irrational.
Number Decimal form Rational or irrational?
2

3

√3


𝜋

3
−
4
17

99

−√8

2
2
5

√36



3. Based on your results in step 2, how can you recognize a rational number if it is not written in
decimal form? How can you recognize an irrational number? Explain.













4. Abdisa says: “All square roots are irrational numbers.” Do you agree? Justify your answer.













5. Research the meaning of the words “finite”, “terminating”, “infinite”, “repeating”, “periodic” and
“non-periodic” when used to describe decimal numbers. Write down the definition of each and
give an example.
Word Definition Example Korean/Chinese
finite






terminating






infinite






repeating






periodic






non-periodic







6. What types of decimal numbers are rational? What types are irrational?













7. Write down two more examples (decimals, fraction, etc) of each type of number: rational and
irrational. Explain your choices,