Rational Numbers

Recalling the concepts studied in class 7:

What are Rational numbers?
A rational number is defined as a number that can be expressed in the form pq,
where p and q are integers and q≠0.

Rational numbers include integers and fractions.

Equivalent Rational Numbers

 By multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator of a rational
number by a same non zero integer, we obtain another rational number
equivalent to the given rational number. These are called equivalent
fractions.
 Therefore 1/2, 2/4, 4/8 are equivalent to each other as they are equal to
each other.
Rational Numbers in Standard Form
 A rational number is said to be in the standard form if its denominator is a
positive integer and the numerator and denominator have no common
factor other than 1.
−4 −4 ÷ 4 −1
 Example: Reduce  16 = . 16 ÷ 4 = 4
Here, the H.C.F. of 4 and 16 is 4.

−1 −4
⇒  4 is the standard form of  16 .
Positive and Negative Rational Numbers
1. Positive Rational Numbers are the numbers whose both the numerator and
denominator are positive.
Example: 3/4, 12/24 etc.
2. Negative Rational Numbers are the numbers whose one of the numerator or
denominator is negative.
Example: (-2)/6, 36/(-3) etc.
Remark: The number 0 is neither a positive nor a negative rational number.

Rational Numbers on the Number Line

Representation of whole numbers, natural numbers and integers on a number
line is done as follows

Rational Numbers can also be represented on a number line like integers i.e.
positive rational numbers are on the right to 0 and negative rational numbers are
on the left of 0.
Representation of rational numbers can be done on a number line as follows
 Comparison of Rational Numbers
1. To compare the two positive rational numbers we need to make their
denominator same, then we can easily compare them.
2. To compare two negative rational numbers, we compare them ignoring their
negative signs and then reverse the order.
3. If we have to compare one negative and one positive rational number then it
is clear that the positive rational number will always be greater as the positive
rational number is on the right to 0 and the negative rational numbers are on the
left of 0.

Rational Numbers between 2 Rational Numbers

To find the rational numbers between two rational numbers, we have to make
their denominator same then we can find the rational numbers.
We can find unlimited number of rational numbers between any two rational
numbers.
Addition of Rational Numbers
Two rational numbers with the same denominator can be added by adding their
numerators, keeping the denominator same. Two rational numbers with different
denominators are added by first taking the LCM of the two denominators and
then converting both the rational numbers to their equivalent forms having the
LCM as the denominator.
Subtraction of Rational Numbers
While subtracting two rational numbers, we add the additive inverse of the
rational number to be subtracted to the other rational number.

Multiplication of Rational Numbers

To multiply two rational numbers, we multiply their numerators and
denominators separately, and write the product as product of numerators .
product of denominators.

Division of Rational Numbers

To divide one rational number by the other non-zero rational number, we
multiply the rational number by the reciprocal of the other.
Based on the above concepts answer the following questions:

1. List five rational numbers between:

(i)  
(ii) -2 and -1
(iii) -4/5 and -2/3
2. Write four more rational numbers in each of the following patterns:
-3/5, -6/10, -9/15, -12/20, …..
3. Rewrite the following rational numbers in the simplest form:
(i) -44/72
(ii) -8/10
4. Fill in the boxes with the correct symbol out of >, <, and =.
(i) -5/7 [ ] 2/3
(ii) -4/5 [ ] -5/7
5. Write the following rational numbers in ascending order:
-3/7, -3/2, -3/4
6. Find the sum  (-9/10) + (22/15)
7. Solve:
-6/13 – (-7/15)
8. Find the product:
(9/2) × (-7/4)
9. Find the value of:
(i) (-4) ÷ (2/3)
(ii) (-2/13) ÷ 1/7
10. Arrange the following rational numbers in descending order:
(7/8), (64/16), (39/-12), (5/-4), (140/28)