Rational numbers are commonly involved in various real-world problems, particularly those that deal with measurements, ratios, fractions, and divisions. One practical example is in cooking and baking, where recipes often require measurements that are fractions or ratios of ingredients. For instance:
Cooking and Baking: When a recipe calls for \( \frac{3}{4} \) cup of sugar or \( 1.5 \) teaspoons of salt, these quantities are rational numbers. Adjusting a recipe for different serving sizes often requires working with rational numbers as well, whether it’s doubling, halving, or otherwise scaling ingredient amounts.
Other examples where rational numbers are applicable include:
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Financial calculations: Budgets, loans, and interest rates often involve rational numbers (e.g., calculating a \( 1.2% \) interest on a loan).
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Construction and Architecture: Measurements for length, width, and height often require rational numbers, such as when calculating area or volume.
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Sports Statistics: Many statistics in sports (like batting averages or points per game) are expressed as rational numbers.
Each of these scenarios demonstrates how rational numbers are integral to everyday problems and decision-making processes.