Real Numbers

Real numbers are simply the combination of rational and irrational numbers, in the
number system. In general, all the arithmetic operations can be performed on these numbers
and they can be represented in the number line, also. At the same time, the imaginary
numbers are the un-real numbers, which cannot be expressed in the number line and is
commonly used to represent a complex number. The concepts related to real numerals are
explained here in detail along with examples and practice questions. The key concept in
the number system is included in this article.

Examples

23 -12 6.99 5/2 π(3.14)

Table of contents:

 Definition
 Set of real numbers
 Chart
 Properties
 Commutative
 Associative
 Distributive
 Identity
 Questions
 FAQs

Real Numbers Definition

Real numbers can be defined as the union of both the rational and irrational numbers. They
can be both positive or negative and are denoted by the symbol “R”. All the natural
numbers, decimals, and fractions come under this category. See the figure, given below,
which shows the classification of real numerals.
Read More:

 Natural Numbers And Whole Numbers

 Rational And Irrational Numbers
 Integers
 Real Numbers For Class 10
 Important Questions Class 10 Maths Chapter 1 Real Numbers

Set of Real Numbers

The set of real numbers consist of different categories, such as natural and whole numbers,
rational and irrational numbers and integers. In the table given here, all these numbers are
defined with examples.

Category Definition Example

Contain all counting numbers

Natural All numbers such as 1, 2, 3,
which start from 1.
Numbers 4,5,6,…..…
N = {1,2,3,4,……}

Collection of zero and natural

Whole All numbers including 0 such
number.
Numbers as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,5,6,…..…
W = {0,1,2,3,…..}

The collective result of whole Includes: -infinity (-∞),……..-

Integers numbers and negative of all 4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
natural numbers. ……+infinity (+∞)

Rational Numbers that can be written in Examples of rational numbers

Numbers the form of p/q, where q≠0. are ½, 5/4 and 12/6 etc.

All the numbers which are not Irrational numbers are non-
Irrational
rational and cannot be written in terminating and non-repeating
Numbers
the form of p/q. in nature like √2

Real Numbers Chart

The chart for the set of real numerals including all the types are given below:
Properties of Real Numbers
There are four main properties which include commutative property, associative property,
distributive property, and identity property. Consider “m, n and r” are the real numbers.
Then based on these properties, we can define the numbers as;

Commutative Property
If m and n are the numbers, then the general form will be m + n = n + m for addition and
m.n = n.m for multiplication.

 Addition: m + n = n + m. For example, 5 + 3 = 3 + 5, 2 + 4 = 4 + 2

 Multiplication: m × n = n × m. For example, 5 × 3 = 3 × 5, 2 × 4 = 4 × 2

Associative Property
If m, n and r are the numbers. The general form will be m + (n + r) = (m + n) + r for
addition(mn) r = m (nr) for multiplication.

 Addition: The general form will be m + (n + r) = (m + n) + r. An example of

additive associative property is 10 + (3 + 2) = (10 + 3) + 2.
 Multiplication: (mn) r = m (nr). An example of a multiplicative associative
property is (2 × 3) 4 = 2 (3 × 4).
Distributive Property
For three numbers m, n, and r, which are real in nature, the distributive property is in the
form of :
m (n + r) = mn + mr and (m + n) r = mr + nr.

 Example of distributive property is: 5(2 + 3) = 5 × 2 + 5 × 3. Here, both sides will

yield 25.

Identity Property
There are additive and multiplicative identities.

 For addition: m + 0 = m. (zero is additive identity)

 For multiplication: a × 1 = 1 × a = a. (1 is multiplicative identity)

Learn More About Real Number Properties

Commutative Property Associative Property

Distributive Property Additive Identity and Multiplicative Identity

Practise Questions
1. Which is the smallest composite number?
2. Prove that any positive odd integer is of the form 6x + 1, 6x + 3, or 6x + 5.
3. Evaluate 2 + 3 × 6 – 5
4. What is the product of a non-zero rational number and irrational number?
5. Can every positive integer be represented as 4x + 2 (where x is an integer)?

Real Numbers Class 9 and 10

In real numbers class 9, the common concepts introduced include representing real numbers
on a number line, operations on real numbers, properties of real numbers, and the law of
exponents for real numbers. In class 10, some advanced concepts related to real numbers
are included. Apart from what are real numbers, students also learn about Euclid’s Division
Lemma, Euclid’s Division Algorithm and the fundamental theorem of arithmetic in class
10.

Rational numbers on a number line Operations On Real Numbers

Laws Of Exponents Euclid’s Division Lemma

Fundamental Theorem Of Arithmetic Properties Of Integers

Frequently Asked Questions
What are Natural and Real Numbers?
Natural numbers are all the positive integers starting from 1 to infinity. All the natural
numbers are integers but not all the integers are natural numbers. These are the set of all
counting numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, …….∞.
Real numbers are the numbers which include both rational and irrational numbers. Rational
numbers such as integers (-2, 0, 1), fractions(1/2, 2.5) and irrational numbers such
as √3, π(22/7), etc., are all real numbers.

Is Zero Real or Imaginary Number?

Zero is considered as both a real and an imaginary number. As we know, imaginary
numbers are the square root of non-positive real numbers. And since 0 is also a non-
positive number, therefore it fulfils the criteria of the imaginary number. Whereas 0 is also
a rational number, which is defined in a number line and hence a real number.

Are there Real Numbers that are not Rational or Irrational?

No, there are no real numbers which are neither rational nor irrational. Because, the
definition of real numbers itself states that, it is a combination of both rational and irrational
numbers.

Is real number a subset of a complex number?

Yes. Because, a complex number is the combination of a real and imaginary number. So, if
the complex number is a set then the real and imaginary number are the subsets of it.

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