THE SET OF RATIONAL NUMBERS

𝑎
A rational number is any number that can be written in the form , where a and b are integers, and where b, the integer
𝑏
𝑎
in the denominator, is not equal to zero. The set of rational numbers is represented by {𝑏 l a and b are integers, b≠0}.
The symbol ≠ is read “is not equal to”. Thus, b≠0 means b is not equal to 0.

𝑎 𝑎
A number of the form 𝑏 means a ÷ b, where a is the numerator and b is the denominator. If a and b are both positive, 𝑏
is called a proper fraction if a < b, an improper fraction if a > b, and a whole number if b divides exactly a.

A rational number can be expressed as a ratio of two integers. So, all simple fractions are rational numbers, as all are
terminating and repeating decimals.

All integers are rational numbers since any integer can be expressed as a fraction.

The quotient of any two rational numbers is always a rational number.

Examples of rational numbers:

3 0 −1 −3 1 −13
a. 3 = 1 b. 0 = 1 c. -1 = 1
d. -0.3 = 10 e. -3 4 = 4

Every rational number can be represented by either a terminating decimal or a repeating decimal.
Examples
0.375
3
a. - = 8 3.0
8
The decimal -0.375 is called a terminating decimal because the final remainder is 0 and the division ends.

0.43636
24
b. 55 = 55 24.00000
The digits 36 continue to repeat without end. The decimal 0.43636… is called a repeating decimal. We usually
write 0.43636…as 0.436 , with a bar over the block of digits that repeats.

Every terminating or repeating decimal represents a rational number.

Examples
−125 −125 ÷125 1
a. -0.125 = 1000 = 1000÷125 = − 8
(Rewrite the decimal as a fraction whose denominator is a power of 10.)
1
Therefore, -0.125 = -
8

b. 3.21
Let n  3.21
Multiply both sides by a power of 10, where the exponent is determined by the number of digits in the
block of repeating digits. Because there are two digits that repeat in the number 3.21 , multiply both sides by
102 or 100.
n  321.21
-
n  3.21
99n=318
318 106
n= 99 = 33
106 7
Therefore, 3.21 = 33
or 3 33
A number line can be used to order rational numbers. If a rational number lies to the right of another on the number
line, then it is greater than the other rational number. If a rational number lies to the left of another on the number line,
then it is less than the other rational number.
Example
1 1
Arrange the following rational numbers in ascending order: 3 2, -3.5, 2, 5.1, and -2.
1 1
Using the number line, the ascending order will be -3.5, -2, 2, 3 2, and 5.1

Without using a number line, you can determine which of the two rational numbers is greater by:
I. writing them with the same positive denominators and then comparing their numerators
Examples
3 7 3 5
a. Which is greater 4 or 12? b. Which is greater, 1 4 or 3?
3
The LCD is 12. Change 1 4 into an improper fraction.
3 9 3 7
4
= 12 14=4
3 7
Since 9 > 7, 4 > 12 The LCD is 12.
3 7 21 5 20
1 = = and =
4 4 12 3 12
3 5
Since 21 >20, 1 >
4 3

II. applying the property which states that for all integers a and b and all positive integers c and d:
𝑎 𝑏
> if and only if ad > bc; and
𝑐 𝑑
𝑎 𝑏
< if and only if ad < bc
𝑐 𝑑
Examples
3 7 3 5
a. Which is greater or ? b. Which is greater, 1 or ?
4 12 4 3
3 7 7 5
> because (3)(12) > (7)(4) or 36 > 28. > because (7)(3) > (5)(4)
4 12 4 3

Density Property for Rational Numbers

Between every pair of distinct rational numbers, there is another rational number.
Example: Find the number between the following pairs of numbers.
1 1
a. ,
2 4
1 1
Rewrite and as similar fractions. Fractions are similar if they have the same denominator.
2 4
1 2 3 4 5
2
= 4 = 6 = 8 = 10 = …
1 2 3 4 5
4
= 8 = 12 = 16 = 20 = …
2 1
In and , there is no integer between 2 and 1.
4 4
4 2
In and , 3 is between 4 and 2.
8 8
3 1 1
Hence, 8 is in between 2 and 4

b. 0.35, 0.36
35 36 70 72
Rewrite 0.35 and 0.36 as 100 and 100 or 200 and 200
71
Hence, 200 is in between 0.35 and 0.36
I. Explain why each is a rational number.
4 5
1. 5 2. − 3 3. 18 4. 0.75 5. 0.3

II. Express each rational number as a terminating or repeating decimal.

4 17
1. − 2.
5 3

III. Express each number as a quotient of two integers.

2
1. 6 2. 0.5
8
IV. Arrange the numbers in order of size (least first).
1 2 5 1 7 1 3 6 5 3
1. 2, 3, 8 2. 3 2, 2 8, 3 5 3. − 7, − 7, − 9, - 5
V. Find the number halfway between the given numbers.
1 2 11 5
1. 5 and 5 2. − 12 and − 6

I. Explain why each is a rational number.

4 5
1. 5 2. − 3 3. 18 4. 0.75 5. 0.3

II. Express each rational number as a terminating or repeating decimal.

4 17
1. − 5 2. 3
III. Express each number as a quotient of two integers.
2
1. 6 8 2. 0.5
IV. Arrange the numbers in order of size (least first).
1 2 5 1 7 1 3 6 5 3
1. 2, 3, 8 2. 3 2, 2 8, 3 5 3. − 7, − 7, − 9, - 5
V. Find the number halfway between the given numbers.
1 2 11 5
1. and 2. − and −
5 5 12 6

I. Explain why each is a rational number.

4 5
1. 5 2. − 3 3. 18 4. 0.75 5. 0.3

II. Express each rational number as a terminating or repeating decimal.

4 17
1. − 2.
5 3
III. Express each number as a quotient of two integers.
2
1. 6 8 2. 0.5
IV. Arrange the numbers in order of size (least first).
1 2 5 1 7 1 3 6 5 3
1. 2, 3, 8 2. 3 2, 2 8, 3 5 3. − 7, − 7, − 9, - 5
V. Find the number halfway between the given numbers.
1 2 11 5
1. 5 and 5 2. − 12 and − 6