Revision Notes

Class - 7 Mathematics
Chapter 9 – Rational Numbers
Rational Numbers:
p
● A number that can be expressed in the form of , where p and q are
q
integers and q  0 , is called a rational number.
5 9 3
For e.g., , , etc.
2 7 8
Numerator and Denominator:
p
● All rational numbers are written in the form of , where p is the
q
numerator and q is the denominator.
● All integers and fractions are rational numbers.
● For e.g. – 2 is an integer it can expressed in the form of rational number
4
as
2

Equivalent Rational Numbers:

● If we multiply the same non-zero integer in the numerator and
denominator of a given rational number then we obtain another rational
number.
● The obtained rational number will be equivalent to the given rational
number.
5 5  2 10
● For e.g. – The equivalent form of can be = ,
2 2 2 4
● A rational number can have an infinite number of equivalent forms.

Positive and Negative Rational Numbers

● If both the numerator and denominator of a rational number are positive,
then such a rational number is called Positive Rational Number.
5 9 13
For e.g. - , , etc.
4 7 7

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● If either numerator or denominator is negative, then such a rational
number is called Negative Rational Number.
−5 7 3
● For e.g. - , , etc.
4 −3 −9
● Zero is the only number which is neither negative nor positive rational
number.

Standard Form of Rational Numbers:

● If the denominator of the rational numbers is positive and the denominator
and numerator have no common factor except 1 , then such a rational
number is said to be in its standard form.
3
● For e.g., is in standard form since the numerator and denominator do
2
not have anything in common.
● Any rational number can be written into standard form by taking out the
common factors.

Comparison of Rational Numbers:

● Two rational numbers can be compared only when they have the same
denominator.
● So, to compare rational numbers we should make denominator of the
rational numbers same and then comparing numerator
2 3
● For e.g., Compare and
3 2
Making denominator same
2  2 4 3 3 9
= =
3 2 6 2  3 6
4 9 9 3 2
Now, in and numerator of is greater therefore 
6 6 6 2 3
● In case of negative rational numbers follow the same step by ignoring
the sign and reverse the comparison sign or order in the end.

Rational Numbers between two Rational Numbers:

● If we want to find rational numbers between two rational numbers then
firstly convert the given two rational numbers in the same denominator
form, then many rational numbers can be found between two given

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 rational numbers.
● There are infinite rational numbers between two rational numbers.

Operations on Rational Numbers:

● Addition – If the denominators of the rational numbers are the same then
we simply add the numerator like we add integers keeping their
denominator same.
−2 4 −2 + 4 2
● For e.g. + = =
3 3 3 3
● If the denominators of rational numbers are different, then we take the
LCM of rational numbers to make the denominator the same and then add
them.
−5 6
● For e.g. - If we want to add and , first find their LCM of 2 and 3
2 3
−5  3 −15 6  2 12 −15 12 −3
which is 6 , so = and = . Thus, + = or
23 6 3 2 6 6 6 6
−5 6 −3
+ = .
2 3 6
● Subtraction – If the denominators of the rational numbers are the same
then we simply subtract the numerator like we subtract integers keeping
their denominator same.
−2 4 −2 − 4 −6
● For e.g. – − = =
3 3 3 3
● If the denominators of rational numbers are different, then we take the
LCM of rational numbers to make the denominator the same and then
subtract them.
−5 6
● For e.g. - If we want to subtract and , first find their LCM of
2 3
−5  3 −15 6  2 12
2 and 3 which is 6 , so = and = . Thus,
23 6 3 2 6
−15 12 −15 − 12 −27 −5 6 −27
− = = or − = .
6 6 6 6 2 3 6
● Multiplication – In multiplication of rational numbers, we multiply the
numerator of one rational number with the numerator of another rational

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 number and similarly do the same with the denominator.
3 −1 3  ( −1) −5
● For e.g. –  = =
5 2 5 2 10
● Division – In division of rational numbers, we simply multiply one
rational number with the reciprocal of another rational number.
4 5 4
● For e.g. – If we want to divide by , then we just multiply with
9 3 9
5 3 4 3 12
reciprocal of which will be , we get  =
3 5 9 5 45

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