GRADE 7 MATHEMATICS

RATIONAL NUMBERS

DEFINING A RATIONAL NUMBER

Explore

Perform these operations

3+6=¿ ¿ 3 ∙ 6=¿ ¿
3−6=¿ ¿ 3 ÷ 6=¿ ¿

 When adding or subtracting integers, the result is always an integer.

 When multiplying integers, the result is always an integer.
 When dividing integers, is the result always an integer?

Consider these examples:

2 1 3 1 4 1
2 ÷10= = 3 ÷ 12= = 4 ÷12= =
10 5 12 4 12 3

In each case, the result is a fraction. There is a need to learn about a bigger set of numbers known as the set of
rational numbers.

a
A rational number is any number that can be expressed in the form , where a and b are integers, and b ≠ 0.
b

ORDERING RATIONAL NUMBERS

Explore

JC bought four items in the market. Which item did he buy the most? the least?

1 1
beef: 1 kg onions: kg
2 2

3 4
fish: kg tomatoes: kg
4 5

Let us arrange the numbers in descending order, meaning from highest to lowest.

1 1
1 =¿ =¿
2 2

3 4
=¿ =¿
4 5
 1 4 3 1
Clearly, 1 > > > . So, JC bought beef the most and onions the least.
2 5 4 2

Let us show these numbers on the number line.

1 4 1 4
1 is to the right of . Hence, 1 > .
2 5 2 5

4 1 4 1
is to the right of . Hence, > .
5 2 5 2

4 3 4 3
is to the right of . Hence, > .
5 4 5 4

There are techniques that you can use when comparing and ordering fractions.
1. When the denominators are the same
3 4 5 ,∧5
In , , , the fraction with the bigger numerator has a greater value.
7 7 7 7
6 5 4 3
Thus, > > > .
7 7 7 7

2. When the numerators are the same

5 5 5 ,∧5
In , , , the fraction with the smaller denominator has a greater value.
3 4 5 6
5 5 5 5
Thus, > > > .
3 4 5 6

3. When neither the numerators nor the denominators are the same, use the comparison property of
rational numbers.

Comparison Property of Rational Numbers

a c
For any rational numbers and , with b> 0 and d >0 :
b b
a c
1. If < , then ad <bc .
b d
a c
2. If ad <bc , then < .
b d

To illustrate, let us compare these fractions.

 EXERCISES

Arrange the following fractions in ascending order.

2 7 5 4
a. 9 , 9 , 9 , 9

10 10 10 10
b. , , ,
3 7 5 4

−1 2 3 1
c. 3
,− ,− ,−
5 8 2

−2 3 1 4
d. 5
,− ,− ,−
4 3 7