Yes, the number \(-9.121212121...\) is a rational number. A rational number is defined as any number that can be expressed as the quotient or fraction of two integers, where the denominator is not zero.
The decimal \(-9.121212121...\) is a repeating decimal, which can be expressed as a fraction. The repeating part is \(12\), indicating that it can be represented as:
\[ -9.121212121... = -9 - 0.121212121... \]
The repeating decimal \(0.121212121...\) can be converted to a fraction:
Let \(x = 0.121212121...\).
Multiplying both sides by 100 (since the repeating block is two digits long):
\[ 100x = 12.121212121... \]
Now, subtracting the first equation from this new equation:
\[ 100x - x = 12.121212121... - 0.121212121... \] \[ 99x = 12 \] \[ x = \frac{12}{99} = \frac{4}{33} \]
So, \(0.121212121... = \frac{4}{33}\).
Now we can express \(-9.121212121...\) as:
\[ -9.121212121... = -9 - \frac{4}{33} = -\frac{297}{33} - \frac{4}{33} = -\frac{301}{33} \]
Since \(-\frac{301}{33}\) is a fraction of two integers, \(-9.121212121...\) is indeed a rational number.