Lesson 1: The Real Number System

Key Vocabulary:
Rational Numbers: Irrational Numbers:
Natural numbers-

Whole numbers- Integers:

Integers-
Whole Numbers:

Rational numbers-
Natural Numbers:

Irrational numbers-

Example: Classifying Real Numbers

Determine which numbers are (a) natural numbers, (b) whole numbers, (c) integers, (d) rational numbers,
and (e) irrational numbers.
1 7
−10, − 3, −2, − , 0, , 5, 𝜋, 8
2 8
a. Natural numbers:

b. Whole Numbers:

c. Integers:

d. Rational Numbers:

e. Irrational Numbers:

Inequalities:

< > ≤ ≥

Example: Interpreting Inequalities

Describe the subset of real numbers that the inequality represents.

a. 𝑥 ≥ 4 b. −5 < 𝑥 ≤ 2

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 Sets and Intervals:
Key Vocabulary:

Interval notation-

Set-builder notation-

Bounded Intervals on the Real Number Line

Interval Notation Set Builder Notation Graph
Open Interval
(𝑎, 𝑏)

Closed Interval
[𝑎, 𝑏]

Half-Open Interval
(𝑎, 𝑏]

[𝑎, 𝑏)

Open-Infinite Interval
(𝑎, ∞)

(−∞, 𝑏)

Closed-Infinite Interval
[𝑎, ∞)

(−∞, 𝑏]

Example: Representing Intervals

Write each interval in set-builder notation and sketch the graph.

Interval Notation: Set-Builder Notation: Graph:

a. (−4,3]

b. − ,

c. [−2, ∞)

d. (−∞, 1)

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 Intersection and Union of Sets:
Key Vocabulary:

Intersection- Union-

Example: Intersection and Union of Sets

Let 𝐴 = −6, 0, , 10, 15 , 𝐵 = −6, −5,3,15 and 𝐶 = −3, 0,

a. Find 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵

b. Find 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵

c. Find 𝐵 ∩ 𝐶

Example: Intersection of Sets

Find the intersection of the following sets and graph the set on a number line

a. [0, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 5]

b. −∞, −2 ∪ −2, ∞ ∩ [−4, ∞)

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 Understanding Absolute Value:
Key Vocabulary:

Absolute value-

Properties of Absolute Values

𝑎 ≥0 −𝑎 = 𝑎 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑎
= ,b ≠ 0
𝑏 𝑏

Example: Evaluate Absolute Value Expressions

Evaluate the following expressions involving absolute values.

a. − 3 b. − c. 3 − 6

Distance between Two Real Numbers on a Number Line

For any real numbers a and b, the distance between a and b on a number line is defined by …

Example: Evaluate Find the Distance between Two Real Numbers

Find the distance between the numbers -4 and 2 using absolute value.

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 The Real Number System
Key Vocabulary:
Rational Numbers: Irrational Numbers:
Natural numbers-
The counting numbers starting with 1
Whole numbers- Integers:
Numbers starting with 0
Integers-
Whole Numbers:
The positive and negative whole numbers,
including 0
Rational numbers-
Numbers that can be written as the ratio Natural Numbers:
of integers i.e., fractions and decimals
Irrational numbers-
Real numbers that cannot be written as a
ratio of integers

Example: Classifying Real Numbers

Determine which numbers are (a) natural numbers, (b) whole numbers, (c) integers, (d) rational numbers,
and (e) irrational numbers.
1 7
−10, − 3, −2, − , 0, , 5, 𝜋, 8
2 8
a. Natural numbers: 8

b. Whole Numbers: 0, 8

c. Integers: −10, −2, 0, 8

1 7
d. Rational Numbers: −10, −2, − , 0, , 8
2 8
e. Irrational Numbers: − 3, 5, 𝜋

Inequalities:

< > ≤ ≥

Less than Greater than Less than or equal Greater than or equal

Example: Interpreting Inequalities

Describe the subset of real numbers that the inequality represents.

a. 𝑥 ≥ 4 b. −5 < 𝑥 ≤ 2
The subset of all real numbers that are The subset of all real numbers that are greater than
greater than or equal to 4. -5 but less than or equal to 2.

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 Sets and Intervals:
Key Vocabulary:

Interval notation-
A way to write a subset of real numbers by using the endpoints of the interval contained by inclusive
brackets [ ] or exclusive parenthesis ( ).
Set-builder notation-
A way to describe a set that uses inequality notation to describe the properties of the elements of the set
contained within set brackets {x| description of elements }.
Bounded Intervals on the Real Number Line
Interval Notation Set Builder Notation Graph
Open Interval 𝑥 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑏}
(𝑎, 𝑏)

Closed Interval 𝑥 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏}
[𝑎, 𝑏]

Half-Open Interval
(𝑎, 𝑏] 𝑥 𝑎 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏}

[𝑎, 𝑏) 𝑥 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑏}

Open-Infinite Interval
(𝑎, ∞) 𝑥 𝑥 > 𝑎}

(−∞, 𝑏) 𝑥 𝑥 < 𝑏}

Closed-Infinite Interval
[𝑎, ∞) 𝑥 𝑥 ≥ 𝑎}

(−∞, 𝑏] 𝑥 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏}

Example: Representing Intervals

Write each interval in set-builder notation and sketch the graph.

Interval Notation: Set-Builder Notation: Graph:

a. (−4,3]

b. − ,

c. [−2, ∞)

d. (−∞, 1)

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 Intersection and Union of Sets:
Key Vocabulary:

Intersection- Union-
The intersection of two sets The union of two sets is made by
contains the elements common combining the elements of the
to both sets. two sets.

Example: Intersection and Union of Sets

Let 𝐴 = −6, 0, , 10, 15 , 𝐵 = −6, −5,3,15 and 𝐶 = −3, 0,

a. Find 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 1
−6, −5, 1, , 3, 10, 15
2

b. Find 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 −6, 15

c. Find 𝐵 ∩ 𝐶 ∅

Example: Intersection of Sets

Find the intersection of the following sets and graph the set on a number line

a. [0, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 5] [0,5]

b. −∞, −2 ∪ −2, ∞ ∩ [−4, ∞)

[−4, −2) ∪ (−2, ∞)

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 Understanding Absolute Value:
Key Vocabulary:

Absolute value-

The distance a value is from zero.

5 =5
−5 = 5 5 units 5 units

Properties of Absolute Values

𝑎 ≥0 −𝑎 = 𝑎 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎 𝑎
= ,b ≠ 0
𝑏 𝑏

Example: Evaluate Absolute Value Expressions

Evaluate the following expressions involving absolute values.

a. − 3 b. − c. 3 − 6

− 3 = 3 5 5 1 3 − 6 = −3 = 3
− = =
20 20 4

Distance between Two Real Numbers on a Number Line

For any real numbers a and b, the distance between a and b on a number line is defined by …
𝑑 = 𝑎 − 𝑏 and 𝑑 = 𝑏 − 𝑎

Example: Evaluate Find the Distance between Two Real Numbers

Find the distance between the numbers -4 and 2 using absolute value.

𝑑 = 𝑎−𝑏 𝑑 = 𝑏−𝑎
𝑑 = −4 − 2 𝑑 = 2 − (−4)
𝑑 = −6 𝑑= 6
𝑑=6 𝑑=6

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 The Real Number System-Homework

Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________________ Class: ________________

Determine which numbers in the set are (a) natural numbers, (b) whole numbers, (c) integers, (d) rational
numbers and (e) irrational numbers.

1. −9, − , 5, , 3, 0, 8, −4, 2, −11 2. 25, −17, − , 9, 3.12, 𝜋, 18, −11.1, 13

a. Natural Numbers: a. Natural Numbers:

b. Whole Numbers: b. Whole Numbers:
c. Integers: c. Integers:
d. Rational Numbers: d. Rational Numbers:
e. Irrational Numbers: e. Irrational Numbers:

Describe the subset of real numbers that the inequality represents.

3. 𝑥 ≤ 5 4. 𝑥 < 0

5. −2 < 𝑥 < 2 6. 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 6

Write each interval in set-builder notation and sketch the graph.

7. [4, ∞) 8. (−∞, 2)

Set Builder: Set Builder:

Graph: Graph:

9. [−5,2) 10. (−1,2]

Set Builder: Set Builder:

Graph: Graph:

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Sets A and B are given. Find (a) 𝑨 ∩ 𝑩 and (b) 𝑨 ∪ 𝑩.
11. A = −1, 0, 1, 2 and 𝐵 = {0, 2, 4} 12. A = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 𝐵 = {0, 5, 6}

a. 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = a. 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 =

b. 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = b. 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 =

Find the intersection of the given intervals and graph the set on a number line.
13. (−∞, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 3) 14. (−8,5] ∩ (−12,3)

15. [0, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 4] 16. ( −∞, 1 ∪ 1, ∞ ) ∩ (−∞, ∞)

17. −∞, 0 ∪ 0, ∞ ∩ [−3, ∞) 18. (−∞, 10) ∩ (−5, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 1]

Evaluate the absolute value expression.

19. −2.2 20. −2 3

21. − 22. 2 − 𝜋

Find the distance between the two real numbers using absolute value.
23. 3 and 14 24. -5 and 7

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 The Real Number System-Homework
Answer Key
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: ____________________ Class: ________________

Determine which numbers in the set are (a) natural numbers, (b) whole numbers, (c) integers, (d) rational
numbers and (e) irrational numbers.

1. −9, − , 5, , 3, 0, 8, −4, 2, −11 2. 25, −17, − , 9, 3.12, 𝜋, 18, −11.1, 13

a. Natural Numbers: 2, 5, 8 a. Natural Numbers: 9, 13, 18, 25

b. Whole Numbers: 0, 2, 5, 8 b. Whole Numbers: 9, 13, 18, 25
c. Integers: −11, −9, −4, 0, 2, 5, 8 c. Integers: −17, 9, 13, 18, 25
7 2 12
d. Rational Numbers: −11, −9, −4, − , 0, , 2, 5, 8 d. Rational Numbers:−17, −11.1, − , 9, 3.12, 13, 18, 25
2 3 3
e. Irrational Numbers: 3 e. Irrational Numbers: 1
𝜋
2

Describe the subset of real numbers that the inequality represents.

3. 𝑥 ≤ 5 4. 𝑥 < 0
All real numbers less than or equal to 5. All real numbers less than 0.

5. −2 < 𝑥 < 2 6. 0 < 𝑥 ≤ 6

All real numbers greater than -1 but less than 2. All real numbers greater than 0 but less than or
equal to 6.

Write each interval in set-builder notation and sketch the graph.

7. [4, ∞) 8. (−∞, 2)

Set Builder: {𝑥|𝑥 ≥ 4} Set Builder: {𝑥|𝑥 < 2}

Graph: Graph:

9. [−5,2) 10. (−1,2]

Set Builder: {𝑥| − 5 ≤ 𝑥 < 2} Set Builder: {𝑥| − 1 < 𝑥 ≤ 2}

Graph: Graph:

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Sets A and B are given. Find (a) 𝑨 ∩ 𝑩 and (b) 𝑨 ∪ 𝑩.
11. A = −1, 0, 1, 2 and 𝐵 = {0, 2, 4} 12. A = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 𝐵 = {0, 5, 6}

a. 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {0, 2} a. 𝐴 ∩ 𝐵 = {∅}

b. 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = −1, 0, 1, 2, 4 b. 𝐴 ∪ 𝐵 = {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6}

Find the intersection of the given intervals and graph the set on a number line.
13. (−∞, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 3) 14. (−8,5] ∩ (−12,3)

(−∞, 3) (−8,3)

15. [0, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 4] 16. ( −∞, 1 ∪ 1, ∞ ) ∩ (−∞, ∞)

[0,4] (−∞, 1) ∪ (1, ∞)

17. −∞, 0 ∪ 0, ∞ ∩ [−3, ∞) 18. (−∞, 10) ∩ (−5, ∞) ∩ (−∞, 1]

[−3, 0) ∪ (0, ∞) (−5,1]

Evaluate the absolute value expression.

19. −2.2 2.2 20. −2 3 6

21. − 22. 2 − 𝜋
−3 −2 + 𝜋

Find the distance between the two real numbers using absolute value.
23. 3 and 14 11 24. -5 and 7 12

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