Objectives

After completing this module you will be able to:

Convert fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions

Perform various operations on rational numbers

Arrange rational numbers in ascending and descending order

Apply the knowledge of rational numbers to solve various mathematical problems

Number System

We are familiar with natural numbers, whole numbers and

integers. Now let us see a new set of numbers called rational numbers.
Let us see what the need for finding these rational numbers was.

Consider

clearly the first quotient 5 is an integer, but the second quotient is not an

integer. This shows the need to extend the set of all integers to include such quotients. Hence, the
set of rational numbers includes such quotients.

Therefore, a rational number is a number of the form

, where a and b are integers,

b 0.

The rational number

where b = 1, is considered to be the same as the integer a. Therefore, the

set of rational numbers includes integers and fractions.

Rational numbers are represented by the symbol Q.
Every integer is a rational number. ( 5 =

Number Chart

Order Relation - I

As integers have an order relation, rational numbers also have

an order relation.
One can compare rational numbers on the number line. We arrange the rational numbers on the
number line in ascending order from left to right.

A positive rational number is always greater than a negative rational number.

Zero is greater than each of the negative rational numbers and less than each one of
the positive rational numbers.

Order Relation - II
We can compare rational numbers using arithmetic.

CASE I
Rational numbers having the same
denominator.
From the number line we see that if the
denominators of two rational numbers are
the same, the fraction with the smaller
numerator is less than the other.
Example:

CASE II
Rational numbers having distinct
denominators.
If the denominators of two fractions are not
the same, we should change them into
fractions having the same denominators.

Compare

Compare

and

Solution:

Example:
and

Solution:

-7 < -3, therefore,

<

Now denominators are the same, and

20 < 21 Therefore ,

<

Example:

Compare

and

Solution:
Here as one is negative and one is positive, obviously a positive rational number is greater than a
negative rational number. Therefore,

>

To compare two fractions, cross-multiply. The larger number will be on the same side as the larger fraction.
Basics

Now let us revise some basics about fractions.

Fractions of the type,

Their values are greater than 1.

etc are called improper fractions.

Generally we convert them into mixed fractions.

Example:

Always convert fractions into their lowest terms.

A fraction is said to be in its lowest term if the numerator and denominator of a fraction
have no common factors.

Example:

If the value of two fractions is equal they are said to be equivalent fractions.
Operation

Having done the basics, let us see how to add two or more
rational numbers.
We shall go through the following illustrations:
Before adding rational numbers let us see how to find the LCM of two numbers. LCM of two
numbers is their least common multiple. If two numbers donot have any common factor other than
1 then their LCM is their product.
Example:
LCM of 9 and 11 is 9 *11 that is 99. If two numbers have some common factors then 1 then first
we find their prime factorization and then find the LCM.
Example:
let us find the LCM of 16 and 24.
16 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 and 24 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 3
LCM of 16 and 24 = 2 * 2 * 2 * 2 * 3 = 48

Here we write the common factors of 16 and 24 only once and include all other factors in the
product. (Here three 2's are present in both and an extra 2 in 16 and an extra 3 in 24.)

Add:

and

Solution:
Here as the denominators are not the same first we take the LCM Of denominators, LCM of 9 and
11 is 99.

Add:
Solution:
LCM of the denominators 16 and 24 is 48.

Properties
Rational numbers must satisfy certain properties under addition.

Sum of any two rational numbers is a rational number.

Example:
1 1 3
+ =
4 2 4
NB:

+ = +

NB:

+( + )=( + )+

NB: 0 +

NB:

NB:

+
,

=0
are additive inverses.

Two fractions can be added quickly by cross-multiplying,

Definition

Subtraction: If

and

are two rational numbers then

Example:
3 - 4 = 3 + (-4), here we see that subtracting 4 from 3 is the same as adding the additive inverse
of 4 that is adding -4 to 3.
Multiplication: Now we shall go through the operation of multiplication of rational numbers.
The product of two rational numbers is just like the product of two fractions.

If

and

are two rational numbers, then

As rational numbers satisfy certain properties under addition they also satisfy certain properties
under multiplication.

NB: Subtraction is adding the additive inverse.

Properties
Rational numbers must satisfy certain properties under multiplication.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

x*y=y*x
(x * y) * z = x * (y * z)
x*0=0*x=0
x*1=1*x=1
x * (y + z) = x * y + x * z

Reciprocal

Now we shall discuss about the reciprocal of a rational number.

For any non-zero rational number

we have another non-zero rational number

called its reciprocal.

The product of a non-zero rational number and its reciprocal is always 1.

Zero is a rational number has no reciprocal.

Reciprocal is also called as the multiplicative inverse.

Operation

We know that the inverse operation of multiplication is division.

Now we shall see how to perform the division operation on rational numbers.

Division: If

and

are two rational numbers, then

There are infinitely many rational numbers between any two given rational numbers.
If x and y are two rational numbers and x < y, then
and y.

is a rational number between x

Example:
A rational number between,

and

is

1 is a reciprocal of itself.
Representation

We come across decimal numbers several times in mathematics;

now let us learn about them.

Every decimal number, having a finite number of digits in the decimal part, is a rational
number.

Also, every non-terminating repeating decimal is a rational number.

Every rational number has a decimal representation.

A rational number

can be written in several equivalent forms, but its decimal

representation is unique.

Decimal fractions are just another way of expressing common fractions.

They can be converted to common fractions with a power of ten in their denominator.
Example:

Each position or digit in the decimal has a name associated with it.

In 34.126 3 is in tens place, 4 in units place, 1 in tenths place, 2 in hundredths place

and 6 in thousandths place.

Conversion

As we can perform certain operations on rational numbers, we can

also perform similar operations on decimal numbers.

Fractions can be converted to decimals by dividing the denominator into the numerator.
Example:
Convert

into decimal form.

To convert

into decimal form, divide 8 into 3.

(A decimal point and as many zeroes as necessary are added after 3)

To compare two decimals, we write one below the other, matching the decimal points.

Then we compare digit by digit starting from left.

The first place in which the larger digit is seen, we find the greater number in it. For
example, 0.56 > 0.46

Operations
Let us perform the four major operations on decimals.
The procedures for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals are the same as for whole
numbers, except for small differences.

Addition and Subtraction

To add or subtract decimals,
merely align the decimal
points and then add or subtract
as we do with whole numbers.

Multiplication
Multiply decimals as we
would with whole numbers.
The answer will have as
many decimal places as the
sum of the number of
decimal places in the
numbers being multiplied.

Examples:

Example:

Division
Before dividing decimals,
move the decimal point of
the divisor all the way to the
right and move the decimal
point of the dividend same
number of spaces to the right
(adding zeroes if
necessary). Then divide as
we would with whole
numbers.
Example:

Add 12.567 + 3.24 +7.2

12.54 * 3.6

Divide 0.5 by 0.25

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Subtract 8.09 from 15.

Solution:

24 can be written in decimal form as 24.0, 24.00 and so on. Zero after decimal place to the end has no value.