Rational numbers are a type of number that can be expressed as a fraction, where the numerator and denominator are both integers. These numbers include whole numbers, integers, and decimals that terminate or repeat.
Rational numbers can be positive or negative, and they can also be zero. They can be written in fractional form, such as 3/4 or -5/6, or in decimal form, such as 0.75 or -0.8333 (repeating).
Rational numbers are called "rational" because they can be expressed as the ratio of two integers. The word "ratio" comes from the Latin word "rationalis," which means "having to do with reasoning." Rational numbers are often used in everyday life, such as when dividing a pizza evenly among friends or measuring ingredients in a recipe.
In mathematics, rational numbers are an important concept for understanding operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They form a number system that is more complete than the integers alone, as rational numbers can represent more values and quantities.
In summary, rational numbers are numbers that can be expressed as a fraction or decimal, where the numerator and denominator are both integers. They are used in various mathematical operations and have practical applications in everyday life.
Introduction to rational numbers quick check
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