NUMBER SYSTEM

RATIONAL NUMBERS
? Which number families are the following numbers a part of?

Number Natural number Whole number Integer

−3
3
4
−1
2

CONCLUSION
These numbers do not belong to any of the given group of numbers.
They belong to a group of numbers called rational numbers.
2
 ? What are rational numbers?

Rational numbers FUN FACT

Integers The word rational is derived from
Whole numbers the word ratio.
Natural numbers

1 3
− − 4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
2 4

RATIONAL NUMBER
p
where p
A number that can be expressed in the form q and q are
integers and q ≠ 0 is called a rational number.
3
?? Which of the following are rational numbers?

CONDITIONS FOR A NUMBER TO BE RATIONAL

p
Denominator, q ≠ 0
Number can be expressed in q
form, where p and q are integers.
Number p form; where p and q q≠0 Rational number
q are integers
3
(∵ q = 4 ≠ 0)
4
0
0 (∵0= ) (∵ q = 1 ≠ 0)
1
-4
−4 ( ∵ -4 = ) (∵ q = 1 ≠ 0)
1
−7 p = −7, an integer
0 q = 0, an integer q≠0
4
 From the below mentioned set of numbers, identify the rational numbers.

9 16 3
, 3, −1, 0, , 3.9,
4 3 11

All numbers are rational numbers since they all can be

written as p form where q ≠ 0
q

EXPLANATION
9 , 3 , −1 , 0 , 16 , 39 , 3
4 1 1 1 3 10 11

5
 ? Add
−11
and
5
12 16
LET’S SOLVE
−11 5
+
12 16
Steps To Add Rational Numbers

STEP 1 LCM of 12 and 16 = 48

Find the LCM of the denominators.

STEP 2 Write the numbers as equivalent

−11 × 4 −44 5×3 15
rational numbers with = =
12 × 4 48 16 × 3 48
denominators equal to the LCM.

STEP 3 −44 15 −44 + 15

Add the numerators , and write the + =
48 48 48
denominator as it is.
−29
=
48
6
 ? Solve 2 1 × (−7)
14

1 2 × 14 + 1 29
Simplify mixed fraction 2 = =
14 14 14

−1
29 −7
Multiply them and simplify ×
14 1
2

29 × (−1)
=
2

−29
=
2

7
 ? How can we divide two rational numbers?

If m and n are two rational numbers such that n ≠ 0, then the result on dividing m by n
is the same as multiplying m with the reciprocal of n .

1 8
If m = and n = then,
5 3

Change
m 1
m÷n= = m×
n n Keep Flip

1 8 1 3
÷ = ×
Reciprocal of n 5 3 5 8

3
=
40
8
Check if the following examples are true.

Examples Check CLOSURE PROPERTY

For any two rational numbers a and b,

4 7 a + b, a − b, and a × b is always a rational
+ is a rational number
5 6 number

4 7
− is a rational number
5 6

4 0
is a rational number
5 ÷6

4 0 is a rational number
5 ×6
9
Check if the following examples are true.

Examples Check COMMUTATIVE PROPERTY

Therefore, for any two rational numbers

4 7 7 4 a and b:
+ = +
5 6 6 5 a+b=b+a
a×b=b×a
4 7 7 4
− = −
5 6 6 5

7 4 4 7
× = ×
6 5 5 6

7 4 4 7
6 ÷ =
5 5 ÷ 6
10
Check if the following examples are true.

Examples Check ASSOCIATIVE PROPERTY

Therefore, for any two rational numbers

a and b:
-5 + ( 7 + 8) = (-5 + 7 ) +8
6 6 (a + b)+ c = a + (b + c)
(a × b) × c = a × (b × c)
-5 - ( 7 - 8) = (-5 - 7 ) - 8
6 6

-5 × ( 7 × 8) = (-5 × 7 ) × 8
6 6

-5 ÷ ( 7 ÷ 8) = (-5 ÷ 7 ) ÷ 8
6 6
11
 Check if the following examples are true.

Examples Check DISTRIBUTIVE PROPERTY

Therefore, for any three rational

1 + 3) = (5 × 1 ) + (5 × 3 ) numbers a, b, and c:
5×(
2 2 a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c)
a × (b − c) = (a × b) − (a × c)
5×(
1 − 3) = (5 × 1 ) − (5 × 3 )
2 2

12
 Identities

The Additive Identity = 0

For any rational number ‘a’ a+0 = a

The Multiplicative Identity = 1

For any rational number ‘a’, a×1 = a

The Additive Inverse of a is -a

For any rational number ‘a’, a + (-a) = 0

1
The Multiplicative Inverse of a is
a
1
For any non-zero rational number ‘a’, a× =1
a
13
IT’S PRACTICE TIME!

14
SOLUTION
? Subtract −16 from 1
21
1 −16
Steps To Subtract Rational Numbers −
1 21

STEP 1
Find the LCM of the denominators. LCM of 1 and 21 = 21

STEP 2 Write the numbers as equivalent 1 × 21 21 −16 × 1 −16

rational numbers with = =
1 × 21 21 21 × 1 21
denominators equal to the LCM.

STEP 3
Subtract the numerators , and write 21 − (−16) 21 + 16 37
= =
the denominator as it is. 21 21 21

15
SOLUTION

?? Which property is applicable in the given example ?

5 × ( −8 + 3 ) = (5 × (−8)) + (5 × 3 )
4 4

a Distributive property b Closure property

c Associative property d Commutative property

Distributive property is applicable because the given example is of

the form a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c).

16
EXTERNAL
LINK

17
 ? Represent
-2
on the number line.
3

Identify the integers on number line between which the -2

1 lies between -1 and 0.
given rational number lies. 3

Divide each unit distance into as many equal parts as the

2 denominator of the given rational number. Denominator = 3

-3 -2 -1 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-3 3 3
3

3 Mark given rational number on the number line.

-3 -2 -1 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
3 3 18
 ? Are
3
and
7
rational numbers?
10 10

a
Rational number ,a&b integers
b
b≠0

? How many rational numbers lie between 3 and

7?
10 10

3 7
10 10

19
 1 3 7 2
10 10

3 4 5 6 7
10 10 10 10 10

3 4 5 6 7
10 10 10 10 10

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100

………
……

20
? There are infinite rational numbers in between 3 and 7 .
10 10

DENSENESS PROPERTY:
There are infinite rational numbers in
between any two rational numbers.
21
 Finding rational numbers between any two given rational numbers

METHOD
By inserting a rational number halfway
between two rational numbers

1 Add the two rational numbers.

By using the formula:
Or
Divide the result of addition of rational 1
2 numbers obtained in step 1 by 2. a+ (b - a)
2

22
? Find 4 rational numbers between 2 and 5 .
3 6

2 5
3 Halfway between 6
2 and 5
3 6

2 5 9 3
1 Add the two rational numbers. +
3 6
= =
6 2

3
Divide the result of addition of rational 2 3
2 numbers obtained in step 1 by 2. 2
=
4
23
 Halfway between
2 3
and
3 4

2 3 5
3 4 6

2 3 17
1 Add the two rational numbers.
3
+4 =
12

17
Divide the result of addition of rational 2
12 17
2 numbers obtained in step 1 by 2. 2
=
24

24
 Halfway between
3
and 5
4 6

2 17 3 5
3 24 4 6

3 1 5 3
By using the formula = + 2 ( - )
3 5 4 6 4
Here, a = ;b= ;
1 4 6 19
a+ (b - a)
2 =
24

25
 Halfway between
19
and 5
24 6

2 17 3 19 5
3 24 4 24 6

19 1 5 19
= + ( - )
By using the formula 19 5 24 2 6 24
Here, a = ;b= ;
1 24 6 39
a+ (b - a)
2 =
48

2 17 3 19 39 5
3 24 4 24 48 6
26
IT’S PRACTICE TIME!

27
SOLUTION
? Which of the following rational numbers is marked on the given number line?

1 1 −5 −5
a b c d
4 5 4 3

−3 −2 −5 −1 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 1 2 3
44 4 4 4 4 4 4
−4 0 4
4 4 4
LET’S SOLVE
The marking lies on left of -1 and
1 Identify where do the marking lie.
on right of 0.

2 Count the divisions made between the integers. 4 divisions are made.

1 −5
3 Identify the marking as a rational number. The markings represent 4 and 4
28
SOLUTION
? Which of the following rational numbers is marked on the given number line?

2 3 −1 −5
a b c d
3 5 5 6 2
3

−2 −1 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4 5 1 2
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
−6 0 6
6 6 6
LET’S SOLVE

1 Identify where do the marking lie. The marking lies between -1 and 1.

2 Count the divisions made between the integers. 6 divisions are made.

2 −5
3 Identify the marking as a rational number. The markings represent 3 and 6
29
SOLUTION
? Find 2 rational numbers between −1 and −2.

LET’S SOLVE

STEP 1 p
Express as q form. Multiply
numerator and denominator −1 −1 × 3 −3 −2 −2 × 3 −6
= = = =
1 1×3 3 1 1×3 3
with a number 1 more than number
of rational numbers to be found.

STEP 2 −6 −5 −4 −3
Find required number of rational < < <
3 3 3 3
numbers between them. −2 −1

−5 −4
∴ The 2 rational numbers between −1 and −2 are and
3 3
30
SOLUTION
? Which of the following rational numbers lie between −1 and 2 ?
2 3

1 Find the LCM of the denominators. LCM of 2 and 3 = 6

Express the given rational numbers as

2 equivalent rational numbers with
−1 −1 × 3 −3 2×2
denominators equal to the LCM of = = and 2 = =
4
2 2×3 6 3 3×2 6
denominators.

31
SOLUTION
? Which of the following rational numbers lie between −1 and 2 ?
2 3

Find rational numbers between the

3 −3 , −2 , −1 , 0 , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4
equivalent rational numbers with the 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6
same denominator.

−3 −2 −1 0 1 2 3 4
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

32
SUMMARY

Property Operations on Rational Numbers

Name Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division

Closure a+b∈Q a-b∈Q a×b∈Q a÷b∉Q

Commutative a+b=b+a a-b≠b-a a×b=b×a a÷b≠b÷a

(a + b) + c (a - b) - c (a × b) × c (a ÷ b) ÷ c
Associative = a + (b + c) ≠ a - (b - c) = a × (b × c) ≠ a ÷ (b ÷ c)

a × (b + c) a × (b - c)
Distributive = ab + ac = ab - ac Not applicable Not applicable

Where a, b, c ∈ Q (set of rational numbers)

SUMMARY
METHOD
By inserting a rational
number halfway between two
rational numbers

1 Add the two rational numbers.

By using the formula:
Or
Divide the result of addition of rational 1
2 numbers obtained in step 1 by 2. a+ (b - a)
2

34
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