To understand why \( \frac{ad + bc}{bd} \) is a rational number, we need to look at the properties of integers and rational numbers.
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Understanding Rational Numbers: A rational number is defined as a number that can be expressed as the quotient \( \frac{p}{q} \), where \( p \) and \( q \) are integers, and \( q \) is not zero.
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Parts of the Expression:
- \( ad \) is the product of two integers \( a \) and \( d \), thus \( ad \) is also an integer.
- \( bc \) is the product of two integers \( b \) and \( c \), so \( bc \) is also an integer.
- Therefore, \( ad + bc \) is the sum of two integers, which is again an integer.
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Denominator:
- \( bd \) is the product of \( b \) and \( d \). Since both \( b \) and \( d \) are non-zero integers, \( bd \) is also a non-zero integer.
Now, putting this together:
- The numerator, \( ad + bc \), is an integer.
- The denominator, \( bd \), is a non-zero integer.
Thus, we can conclude that \( \frac{ad + bc}{bd} \) is a quotient of two integers where the denominator is not zero, which means it is a rational number.
Given the options you provided, the most accurate response is:
"By the Closure Property, \( ad + bc \) and \( bd \) are both integers, and so \( \frac{ad + bc}{bd} \) is a quotient of two integers."