Rational and Irrational Numbers

Recap
• Rational Numbers: A number that can be expressed in the form of ; where
and are integers and is called a rational number.
• Examples: 2, , , 6.25, -7.897, 0., 9.,
• All terminating decimals, repeating/recurring decimals are rational
numbers. They can be represented in form, and hence are rational. (We
will learn to write them in form in this unit.)
• Now explain why , and should be classified as rational numbers.
 Irrational Numbers

• An irrational number is a number that is not rational. It cannot be

expressed in the form.
• When an irrational number is expressed in decimal form, it goes on
forever without repeating
• It would be convenient to say that all non-repeating/non-recurring and
non-terminating decimals are irrational.
• The square root of any whole number that is not a perfect square is
irrational. The cube root of any integer that is not a perfect cube is
irrational.
 Examples of Irrational numbers
• Non- terminating and non-repeating decimals:
0.131311313111311113……., 4.14227262435782929…, etc
• , -, ,…..etc
• , , , …….etc
• =
(While it is popular to use 22/7 or 3.14 to represent pi, these values are only
estimates or approximations.
 Real Numbers
• Rational numbers and Irrational numbers together form the set of Real
numbers.
Question 1:
Classify each real number in as many ways as possible
ANSWER 1:

QUESTION 2: Identify the irrational numbers from the numbers given below:
, 2.12112111211112…., 0. 3.43, , , 3-1
ANSWER 2: , 2.12112111211112…., 0. 3.43, , , 3-1
QUESTION 3: Justify, giving reasons whether the statements are True/False
a. Elena says,
b. The ratio of the circumference of any circle to its diameter is a rational number.
c. The length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle with the other two sides as
15 units and 8 units is a rational value.
d. The length of the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle with the other two sides as
5 units and 4 units is a rational value.
e. The length of the side of a square with area 200 sq. units is a rational value.

ANSWER 3:
a. F b. F c. T d. F e. F