Properties of Rational Numbers for Multiplication

(P1) Closure
Rational numbers are closed under multiplication. That is, for any two rational numbers
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐
𝑎𝑛𝑑 , × = is also a rational number.
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑

(P2) Commutativity
𝑎 𝑐
For any two rational numbers 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ,
𝑏 𝑑
𝑎 𝑐 𝑐 𝑎
× = ×
𝑏 𝑑 𝑑 𝑏

Hence, multiplication is commutative for rational numbers.

(P3) Associativity
𝑎 𝑐 𝑒
For any three rational numbers , 𝑎𝑛𝑑
𝑏 𝑑 𝑓
𝑎 𝑐 𝑒 𝑎 𝑐 𝑒
×( × ) =( × )×
𝑏 𝑑 𝑓 𝑏 𝑑 𝑓

4 2 5
Example- Let us verify for any three rational numbers , 𝑎𝑛𝑑
7 3 6
4 2 5 4 10
×( × ) = ×( )
7 3 6 7 18
4 5
= ×
7 9
20
=
63
4 2 5 8 5
And ( × ) × = ×
7 3 6 21 6
20
=
63
4 2 5 4 2 5
i.e., ×( × )=( × )×
7 3 6 7 3 6
Hence, multiplication is associative for rational numbers.
(P4) Existence of multiplicative identity element
We know, when we multiply 1 to a whole number, the result is again that whole
number. This happens for integers and rational numbers also.

a × 1 =1 × a = a, where a is a whole number

In general, b × 1 = 1 × b = b, where b is an integer
c × 1 = 1 × c = c, where c is a rational number
1 is called the identity element for multiplication of rational numbers. It is the
multiplicative identity for integers and whole numbers also.
3
Example- Let us verify for a rational numbers
2
3 3 3
×1=1× =
2 2 2
(P5) Existence of multiplicative inverse element or Reciprocal
𝑎 𝑏
For any rational numbers there exist a rational number such that
𝑏 𝑎
𝑎 𝑏 𝑏 𝑎
× = × = 1, an identity element for multiplication.
𝑏 𝑎 𝑎 𝑏
𝑏 a a b
Hence, i𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 multiplicative inverse of and 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 multiplicative inverse of
𝑎 b b a
NOTE: (i) The reciprocal of 0 (zero) is not possible since it is not defined.
(ii) There is no rational number which when multiplied by 0 gives 1.
Thus, zero has no reciprocal.
3 2
Example- For any rational numbers the is a rational number such that
2 3
3 2 2 3
× = × = 1, identity element for multiplication of rational numbers.
2 3 3 2
3 2 2 3
Hence, is the multiplicative inverse of 𝑎𝑛𝑑 is the multiplicative inverse of
2 3 3 2
3 −14
Q- Find the multiplicative inverse ×
2 9
3 −14 −7
Solution: × =
2 9 3
−7 −3
∴ Multiplicative 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 𝑜𝑓 is
3 7
−7 −3 −3 −7
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 × = × = 1, identity element for multiplication of rational numbers.
3 7 7 3
Q. Find the multiplicative inverse / reciprocal of the following rational numbers:
−12 7 −3
(i) 9 (ii) −7 (iii) (iv) (v)
5 9 −5
−3 0
(vi) −2 × (vii) −1 (viii) (ix) 1
5 9