# Rational Numbers

Rational numbers are represented in p/q form where q is not equal to zero. It is one of the most important maths topics. Any fraction with non zero denominators is a rational number. To represent rational numbers on a number line, we need to simplify them first.

Apart from this definition, will also learn about its properties, the difference between rational and irrational numbers. Solved examples help to understand the concepts in a better way.

Let us see what topics we are going to cover here in this article.

## Rational Number Definition

A rational number can be defined as any number which can be represented in the form of p/q where q is greater than 0. Also, we can say that any fraction fit under the category of rational numbers, where denominator and numerator are integers and the denominator is not equal to zero.

• It is represented in the form of a/b, where b≠0.
• The ratio p/q can be further simplified and represented in decimal form.

The set of rational numerals are:

1. Involve positive and negative numbers, and zero.
2. Can be expressed as a fraction.

### Types of Rational Numbers

A number is rational if we can write it as a fraction, where both denominator and numerator are integers.

Below diagram helps us to understand more about the number sets.

• Rational numerals (R) include all the real numbers (Q).
• Real numbers include the integers (Z).
• Integers involves the natural numbers(N).
• Every whole number is a rational number because every whole number can be expressed as a fraction.

### Standard Form of Rational Numbers

The standard form of a rational number can be defined if it’s no common factors aside from one between the dividend and divisor and therefore the divisor is positive.

For Example, 12/36 is a rational number. But it can be simplified as 1/3; common factors between the divisor and dividend is only one. So we can say that rational number ⅓ is in standard form.

### Positive and Negative Rational Numbers

Positive Rational Numbers Negative Rational Numbers
If both the numerator and denominator are of same signs. If numerator and denominator are of opposite signs.
All are greater than 0 All are less than 0
Example: 12/17, 9/11 and 3/5 are positive rational numbers Example: -2/17, 9/-11 and -1/5 are negative rational numbers

### Rational Numbers Properties

• The result of two rationals is always a rational number is we multiply, add or subtract them.
• A rational number remains the same is we divide or multiply both numerator and denominator with the same number.
• Sum of zero and a rational number revert the same number itself.

### Difference From Irrational Numbers

There is a difference between rational and Irrational Numbers. A fraction with non-zero denominators is called a rational number. The number ½ is a rational number because it is read as integer 1 divided by the integer 2. All the numbers that are not rational are called irrational.

Rationals can be either positive, negative or zero. While specifying a negative rational number, the negative sign either in front or with the numerator and that is the standard mathematical notation. For example, we denote negative of 5/2 as -5/2.

An irrational number cannot be written as a fraction but can be written as a decimal. It has endless non-repeating digits after the decimal point. Some of the irrational numbers are mentioned below.

π = 3.142857…

√2 = 1.414213…

### Rational Numbers Examples

Example 1: Identify each of the following as irrational or rational: ¾ , 90/12007, 12 and √5 rational or irrational numbers.

Solution: Since a rational number is the one that can be expressed as a ratio. This indicates that it can be expressed as a fraction wherein both denominator and numerator are whole numbers.

• ¾ is a rational number as it can be expressed as a fraction.
• Fraction 90/12007 is rational.
• 12, also be written as 12/1. Again a rational number.
• Value of  √5 = 2.2360…. , does not end. Cannot be written as a fraction. It is an irrational number.

Example 2:  Identify whether mixed fraction, 1½ is a rational number.

Solution: the Simplest form of 1½ is 3/2

Numerator = 3, which is an integer

Denominator = 2, is an integer and not equal to zero.

So, yes, 3/2 is a rational number.

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## Frequently Asked Questions on Rational Numbers

### How to identify the rational numbers?

If a number that can be expressed in the form of p/q is called rational numbers.
Here p and q are integers, and q is not equal to 0. A rational number should have a numerator (p) and denominator (q). Examples: 10/2, 30/3, 100/5.

### What is the difference between rational and irrational numbers?

A rational number is a number that is expressed as the ratio of two integers, where the denominator value should not be equal to zero, whereas an irrational number cannot be expressed in the form of fractions. Example of the rational number is 10/2, and for an irrational number is a famous mathematical value Pi(π) which is equal to 3.14.

### Is 0 a rational number?

Yes, 0 is a rational number because it is an integer, that can be written in any form such as 0/1, 0/2, where b is a non zero integer. It can be written in the form: p/q = 0/1. Hence, we conclude that 0 is a rational number.