## A community for students. Sign up today

Here's the question you clicked on:

## shahzadjalbani 3 years ago Please Explain the irrational numbers and rational numbers and differences between them and also explain irrational functions.

• This Question is Closed
1. nbouscal

A number is rational if it can be written as the quotient of two integers.

2. nbouscal

This is why the set of rational numbers is denoted $$\mathbb Q$$ for quotient.

3. shahzadjalbani

Please explain @nbouscal .

4. lgbasallote

other than the number itself over 1

5. lgbasallote

example...2 is rational because i can express it as 4/2

6. nbouscal

For any rational number there is a $$p$$ and $$q$$ with $$p,q\in\mathbb Z$$ such that the rational number can be written as $$\dfrac p q$$

7. shahzadjalbani

Please mention differences between rational and irrational numbers also.

8. nbouscal

Irrational numbers are simply numbers that are not rational.

9. lgbasallote

pi cannot be expressed as a quotient even though 22/7 is near therefore it is irrational

10. shahzadjalbani

Some more examples ....@lgbasallote

11. nbouscal

The simplest proof of an irrational number is the one for $$\sqrt2$$. http://www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/proof_square_root_2_irrational.php shows the standard proof, due to the Greeks.

12. lgbasallote

ALL integers are rational numbers

13. lgbasallote

the integers are -1, -2, -3, 0, 1, 2, 3, etc

14. nbouscal

Decimal numbers that terminate are rational, because they can be written as a fraction. For example, 2.231 can just be written as 2231/1000. This is the case for any decimal that terminates.

15. shahzadjalbani

What about 1/3...................?@nbouscal @lgbasallote @ParthKohli

16. lgbasallote

some decimals that dont terminate can also be expressed as fractions...for example 0.333333 can be expressed as 1/3

17. nbouscal

1/3 is a quotient of two integers, so it is a rational number.

18. lgbasallote

that is rational because 1 amd 3 are integers

19. lgbasallote

do you get it now?

20. nbouscal

If you want to get even more fun you can look at the transcendental numbers, they are even more crazy than the irrational numbers. Irrational numbers that are not transcendental are called algebraic, they can be found as the roots of polynomials. There are all sorts of fun proofs to be read in this area of mathematics.

21. lgbasallote

lol why make it confusing :p

22. shahzadjalbani

Of coarse @lgbasallote is right.

23. lgbasallote

the kid doesnt understand rational and irrational and you're suggesting "fun" :p

24. nbouscal

Also worth noting is that the union of the rational and irrational numbers forms the real numbers, $$\mathbb R$$, which is the set that you usually work in. You can also go further to $$\mathbb C$$, the complex numbers. And then even further than that :)

25. nbouscal

I'm giving him an idea of the cool stuff ahead, it doesn't just stop at rational and irrational :P

26. lgbasallote

sometimes it's nicer to live in fantasies for some time

27. ParthKohli

1/3 has recurring digits but is still expressed as a quotient of two integers, so it is rational.

28. lgbasallote

i'd rather take the blue pill than the red

#### Ask your own question

Sign Up
Find more explanations on OpenStudy
Privacy Policy