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Rational Numbers | Definition, Types, Properties, Standard

Form of Rational Numbers
Veerendra

8-10 minutes

In Maths, Rational Numbers sound similar to Fractions and they are expressed in the form of p/q where

q is not equal to zero. Any fraction that has non zero denominators is called a Rational Number. Thus,

we can say 0 also a rational number as we can express it in the form of 0/1, 0/2 0/3, etc. However, 1/0,

2/0 aren’t rational numbers as they give infinite values.

Continue reading further modules to learn completely about Rational Numbers. Get to know about

Types of Rational Numbers, Difference Between Rational and Irrational Numbers, Solved Examples,

and learn how to Identify Rational Numbers, etc. In order to represent Rational Numbers on a Number

Line firstly change them into decimal values.

Definition of Rational Number

Rational Number in Mathematics is defined as any number that can be represented in the form of p/q

where q ≠ 0. On the other hand, we can also say that any fraction fits into the category of Rational

Numbers if bot p, q are integers and the denominator is not equal to zero.

Rational Numbers Worksheets

Class 8 Rational Numbers NCERT Solutions

Rational Numbers Class 8 Extra Questions

Rational Numbers Class 8 Notes

NCERT Exemplar Class 8 Maths Rational Numbers

Class 7 Rational Numbers NCERT Solutions

Rational Numbers Class 7 Extra Questions

Rational Numbers Class 7 Notes

Introduction to Rational Numbers

What are Rational Numbers?

Is Every Rational Number a Natural Number?

Is Zero a Rational Number?

Is Every Rational Number an Integer?

Is Every Rational Number a Fraction?

Positive Rational Number

Negative Rational Number

Equivalent Rational Numbers

Equivalent Form of Rational Numbers

Rational Numbers in Different Forms

Properties of Rational Numbers

Lowest Form of a Rational Number

Standard Form of a Rational Number

Equality of Rational Numbers using Standard Form

Equality of Rational Numbers with Common Denominator

Equality of Rational Numbers using Cross Multiplication

Comparison of Rational Numbers

Rational Numbers in Ascending Order

Rational Numbers in Descending Order

Representation of Rational Numbers on the Number Line

Rational Numbers on the Number Line

Addition of Rational Numbers with Same Denominator

Addition of Rational Numbers with Different Denominator

Addition of Rational Numbers

Properties of Addition of Rational Numbers

Subtraction of Rational Numbers with Same Denominator

Subtraction of Rational Numbers with Different Denominator

Subtraction of Rational Numbers

Properties of Subtraction of Rational Numbers

Rational Expressions Involving Addition and Subtraction

Simplify Rational Expressions Involving the Sum or Difference

Multiplication of Rational Numbers

Product of Rational Numbers

Properties of Multiplication of Rational Numbers

Rational Expressions Involving Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication

Reciprocal of a Rational Number

Division of Rational Numbers

 Rational Expressions Involving Division

Properties of Division of Rational Numbers

Rational Numbers between Two Rational Numbers

How to Find Rational Numbers?

How to Identify Rational Numbers?

You need to check the following conditions to know whether a number is rational or not. They are as

follows

It should be represented in the form of p/q, where q ≠ 0.

Ratio p/q can be further simplified and expressed in the form of a decimal value.

The set of Rational Numerals include positive, negative numbers, and zero. It can be expressed as a

Fraction.

Examples of Rational Numbers

p q p/q Rational

20 4 20/4 =5 Rational

2 2000 2/2000 = 0.001 Rational

100 10 100/10 = 10 Rational

Types of Rational Numbers

You can better understand the concept of sets by having a glance at the below diagram.

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 as every whole number can be expressed in terms of a

fraction.

Standard Form of Rational Numbers

A Rational Number is said to be in its standard form if the common factors between divisor and dividend

is only one and therefore the divisor is positive.

For Example, 12/24 is a rational number. It can be simplified further into 1/2. As the Common Factors

between divisor and dividend is one the rational number 1/2 is said to be in its standard form.

Positive and Negative Rational Numbers

Positive Rational Numbers Negative Rational Numbers

If both the numerator and denominator are of the If numerator and denominator are of opposite

same signs. signs.

All are greater than 0 All are less than 0

Example: 12/7, 9/10, and 3/4 are positive rational Example: -2/13, 7/-11, and -1/4 are negative

numbers rational numbers

Arithmetic Operations on Rational Numbers

Let us discuss how to perform basic operations i.e. Arithmetic Operations on Rational Numbers.

Consider p/q, s/t as two rational numbers.

Addition: Whenever we add two rational numbers p/q, s/t we need to make the denominator the same.

Thus, we get (pt+qs)/qt.

Ex: 1/3+3/4 = (4+3)/12 = 7/12

Subtraction: When it comes to subtraction between rational numbers p/q, s/t we need to make the

denominator the same and then subtract.

Ex: 1/2-4/3 = (3-8)/6 = -5/6

Multiplication: While Multiplying Rational Numbers p/q, s/t simply multiply the numerators and the

denominators of the rational numbers respectively. On multiplying p/q with s/t then we get (p*s)/(q*t)

Ex: 1/3*4/2=4/6
Division: Division of p/q & s/t is represented as (p/q)÷(s/t) = pt/qs

Ex: 1/4÷4/3 =1*3/4*4 = 3/16

Properties of Rational Numbers

If we add a zero to a Rational Number you will get the Rational Number Itself.

Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication of a Rational Number yields in a Rational Number.

Rational Number remains the same on multiplying or dividing both the numerator and

denominator with the same factor.

There are few other properties of rational numbers and they are given as under

Closure Property

Commutative Property

Associative Property

Distributive Property

Identity Property

Inverse Property

Representation of Rational Numbers on a Number Line

Number Line is a straight line diagram on which each and every point corresponds to a real number. As

Rational Numbers are Real Numbers they have a specific location on the number line.

Rational Numbers Vs Irrational Numbers

There is a difference between Rational Numbers and Irrational Numbers. Fractions with non zero

denominators are called Rational Numbers. All the numbers that are not Rational are Called Irrational

Numbers. Rational Numbers can be Positive, Negative, or Zero. To specify a negative Rational Number

negative sign is placed in front of the numerator.

When it comes to Irrational Numbers you can’t write them as simple fractions but can represent them

with a decimal. You will endless non-repeating digits after the decimal point.

Pi (π) = 3.142857…

√2 = 1.414213…

Solved Examples
Example 1.

Identify whether Mixed Fraction 1 3/4 is a Rational Number or Not?

Solution: The Simplest Form of Mixed Number 1 3/4 is 7/4

Numerator = 7 which is an integer

Denominator = 4 which is an integer and not equal to 0.

Thus, 7/4 is a Rational Number.

Example 2.

Determine whether the given numbers are rational or irrational?

(a) 1.45 (b) 0.001 (c) 0.15 (d) 0.9 (d) √3

Solution:

Given Numbers are in Decimal Format and to find out whether they are rational or not we need to

change them into fraction format i.e. p/q. If the denominator is non zero then the number is rational or

else irrational.

Decimal Number Fraction Rational Number

1.45 29/20 Yes

0.001 1/1000 Yes

0.15 3/20 Yes

0.9 9/10 Yes

√3 1.732… No

FAQs on Rational Numbers

1. How to Identify a Rational Number?

If the Number is expressed in the form of p/q where p, q are integers and q is non zero then it called a

Rational Number.

2. Is 5 a Rational Number?

Yes, 5 is a Rational Number as it can be expressed in the form of 5/1.

3. What do we get on adding zero to a Rational Number?

On Adding Zero to a Rational Number, you will get the Same Rational Number.

4. What is the difference between Rational and Irrational Numbers?

Rational Numbers are terminating decimals whereas Irrational Numbers are Non-Terminating Decimals.