Chapter 9

Rational Numbers

9.1 Introduction

You were also introduced to fractions. These are numbers of the form , where the numerator is either 0 or a positive integer and the denominator, a positive integer. You compared two fractions, found their equivalent forms and studied all the four basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on them.

In this Chapter, we shall extend the number system further. We shall introduce the concept of rational numbers alongwith their addition, subtraction, multiplication and division operations.

9.2 Need for Rational Numbers

Earlier, we have seen how integers could be used to denote opposite situations involving numbers. For example, if the distance of 3 km to the right of a place was denoted by 3, then the distance of 5 km to the left of the same place could be denoted by –5. If a profit of ` 150 was represented by 150 then a loss of ` 100 could be written as –100.

There are many situations similar to the above situations that involve fractional numbers. You can represent a distance of 750m above sea level as km. Can we represent 750m below sea level in km? Can we denote the distance of km below sea level by ? We can see is neither an integer, nor a fractional number. We need to extend our number system to include such numbers.

9.3 What are Rational Numbers?

The word ‘rational’ arises from the term ‘ratio’. You know that a ratio like 3:2 can also be written as . Here, 3 and 2 are natural numbers.

Similarly, the ratio of two integers p and q (q ≠ 0), i.e., p:q can be written in the form . This is the form in which rational numbers are expressed.

A rational number is defined as a number that can be expressed in the form , where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0.

Thus, is a rational number. Here, p = 4 and q = 5.

Is also a rational number? Yes, because p = – 3 and q = 4 are integers.

 You have seen many fractions like etc. All fractions are rational numbers. Can you say why?

How about the decimal numbers like 0.5, 2.3, etc.? Each of such numbers can be written as an ordinary fraction and, hence, are rational numbers. For example, 0.5 = , 0.333 = etc.

Try These

1. Is the number rational? Think about it. 2. List ten rational numbers.

Numerator and Denominator

Thus, in , the numerator is –3 and the denominator is 7.

Mention five rational numbers each of whose

(a) Numerator is a negative integer and denominator is a positive integer.

(b) Numerator is a positive integer and denominator is a negative integer.

(c) Numerator and denominator both are negative integers.

(d) Numerator and denominator both are positive integers.

 Are integers also rational numbers?

Any integer can be thought of as a rational number. For example, the integer –5 is a rational number, because you can write it as . The integer 0 can also be written as etc. Hence, it is also a rational number.

Thus, rational numbers include integers and fractions.

Equivalent rational numbers

A rational number can be written with different numerators and denominators. For example, consider the rational number .

= . We see that is the same as .

Also, = . So, is also the same as .

Thus, = = . Such rational numbers that are equal to each other are said to be equivalent to each other.

Again, = (How?)

By multiplying the numerator and denominator of a rational number by the same non zero integer, we obtain another rational number equivalent to the given rational number. This is exactly like obtaining equivalent fractions.

Just as multiplication, the division of the numerator and denominator by the same non zero integer, also gives equivalent rational numbers. For example,

9.4 Positive and Negative Rational Numbers

Consider the rational number . Both the numerator and denominator of this number are positive integers. Such a rational number is called a positive rational number. So, etc. are positive rational numbers.

The numerator of is a negative integer, whereas the denominator is a positive integer. Such a rational number is called a negative rational number. So, etc. are negative rational numbers.

 Is a negative rational number? We know that = = , and is a negative rational number. So, is a negative rational number.

 The number 0 is neither a positive nor a negative rational number.

 What about ?

You will see that . So, is a positive rational number.

Thus, etc. are positive rational numbers.

Try These

Which of these are negative rational numbers?

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) 0 (v) (vi)

9.5 Rational Numbers on a Number Line

You know how to represent integers on a number line. Let us draw one such number line.

The points to the right of 0 are denoted by + sign and are positive integers. The points to the left of 0 are denoted by – sign and are negative integers.

Representation of fractions on a number line is also known to you.

Let us see how the rational numbers can be represented on a number line.

Let us represent the number on the number line.

As done in the case of positive integers, the positive rational numbers would be marked on the right of 0 and the negative rational numbers would be marked on the left of 0.

To which side of 0 will you mark ? Being a negative rational number, it would be marked to the left of 0.

You know that while marking integers on the number line, successive integers are marked at equal intervels. Also, from 0, the pair 1 and –1 is equidistant. So are the pairs 2 and –2, 3 and –3.

In the same way, the rational numbers and would be at equal distance from 0. We know how to mark the rational number . It is marked at a point which is half the distance between 0 and 1. So, would be marked at a point half the distance between 0 and –1.

We know how to mark on the number line. It is marked on the right of 0 and lies halfway between 1 and 2. Let us now mark on the number line. It lies on the left of 0 and is at the same distance as from 0.

In decreasing order, we have, , . This shows that lies between – 1 and – 2. Thus, lies halfway between – 1 and – 2.

Mark and in a similar way.

Similarly, is to the left of zero and at the same distance from zero as is to the right. So as done above, can be represented on the number line. Once we know how to represent on the number line, we can go on representing and so on. All other rational numbers with different denominators can be represented in a similar way.

9.6 Rational Numbers in Standard Form

Observe the rational numbers .

The denominators of these rational numbers are positive integers and 1 is the only common factor between the numerators and denominators. Further, the negative sign occurs only in the numerator.

Such rational numbers are said to be in standard form.

A rational number is said to be in the standard form if its denominator is a positive integer and the numerator and denominator have no common factor other than 1.

If a rational number is not in the standard form, then it can be reduced to the standard form.

Recall that for reducing fractions to their lowest forms, we divided the numerator and the denominator of the fraction by the same non zero positive integer. We shall use the same method for reducing rational numbers to their standard form.

Example 1 Reduce to the standard form.

Solution We have,

We had to divide twice. First time by 3 and then by 5. This could also be done as

In this example, note that 15 is the HCF of 45 and 30.

Thus, to reduce the rational number to its standard form, we divide its numerator and denominator by their HCF ignoring the negative sign, if any. (The reason for ignoring the negative sign will be studied in Higher Classes)

If there is negative sign in the denominator, divide by ‘– HCF’.

Example 2 Reduce to standard form:

(i) (ii)

Solution

(i) The HCF of 36 and 24 is 12.

Thus, its standard form would be obtained by dividing by –12.

(ii) The HCF of 3 and 15 is 3.

Thus,

9.7 Comparison of Rational Numbers

We know how to compare two integers or two fractions and tell which is smaller or which is greater among them. Let us now see how we can compare two rational numbers.

 Two positive rational numbers, like can be compared as studied earlier in the case of fractions.

 Mary compared two negative rational numbers and using number line. She knew that the integer which was on the right side of the other integer, was the greater integer.

For example, 5 is to the right of 2 on the number line and 5 > 2. The integer – 2 is on the right of – 5 on the number line and – 2 > – 5.

She used this method for rational numbers also. She knew how to mark rational numbers on the number line. She marked and as follows:

Has she correctly marked the two points? How and why did she convert to and to ? She found that is to the right of . Thus, > or <.

Can you compare and ? and ?

We know from our study of fractions that <. And what did Mary get for and ? Was it not exactly the opposite?

You will find that, > but <.

Do you observe the same for , and , ?

Mary remembered that in integers she had studied 4 > 3 but – 4 < –3, 5 > 2 but –5 < –2 etc.

 The case of pairs of negative rational numbers is similar. To compare two negative rational numbers, we compare them ignoring their negative signs and then reverse the order.

For example, to compare and , we first compare and .

We get < and conclude that .

Take five more such pairs and compare them.

Which is greater or ?; or ?

 Comparison of a negative and a positive rational number is obvious. A negative rational number is to the left of zero whereas a positive rational number is to the right of zero on a number line. So, a negative rational number will always be less than a positive rational number.

Thus, .

 To compare rational numbers reduce them to their standard forms and then compare them.

Example 3 Do and represent the same rational number?

Solution

Yes, because  

or 

.

9.8 Rational Numbers Between Two Rational Numbers

Reshma wanted to count the whole numbers between 3 and 10. From her earlier classes, she knew there would be exactly 6 whole numbers between 3 and 10. Similarly, she wanted to know the total number of integers between –3 and 3. The integers between –3 and 3 are –2, –1, 0, 1, 2. Thus, there are exactly 5 integers between –3 and 3.

Are there any integers between –3 and –2? No, there is no integer between –3 and –2. Between two successive integers the number of integers is 0.

Thus, we find that number of integers between two integers are limited (finite).

Will the same happen in the case of rational numbers also?

Reshma took two rational numbers and .

She converted them to rational numbers with same denominators.

So and

We have  or

She could find rational numbers between .

Are the numbers the only rational numbers between ?

We have and

And . i.e.,

Hence

So, we could find one more rational number between and .

By using this method, you can insert as many rational numbers as you want between two different rational numbers.

For example, and

We get 39 rational numbers  between and i.e., between and . You will find that the list is unending.

Can you list five rational numbers between and ?

We can find unlimited number of rational numbers between any two rational numbers.

Example 4 List three rational numbers between – 2 and – 1.

Solution Let us write –1 and –2 as rational numbers with denominator 5. (Why?)

We have, –1 = and –2 =

So, or

The three rational numbers between –2 and –1 would be,

(You can take any three of )

Example 5 Write four more numbers in the following pattern:

Solution We have,

or

Thus, we observe a pattern in these numbers.

The other numbers would be .

Exercise 9.1

1. List five rational numbers between:

(i) –1 and 0 (ii) –2 and –1 (iii) (iv) –

2. Write four more rational numbers in each of the following patterns:

(i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

3. Give four rational numbers equivalent to:

(i) (ii) (iii)

4. Draw the number line and represent the following rational numbers on it:

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

5. The points P, Q, R, S, T, U, A and B on the number line are such that, TR = RS = SU and AP = PQ = QB. Name the rational numbers represented by P, Q, R and S.

6. Which of the following pairs represent the same rational number?

(i) (ii) (iii)

(iv) (v) (vi)

(vii)

7. Rewrite the following rational numbers in the simplest form:

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

8. Fill in the boxes with the correct symbol out of >, <, and =.

(i) (ii) (iii)

(iv) (v) (vi)

(vii)

9. Which is greater in each of the following:

(i) (ii) (iii)

(iv) (v)

10. Write the following rational numbers in ascending order:

(i) (ii) (iii)

9.9 Operations on Rational Numbers

You know how to add, subtract, multiply and divide integers as well as fractions. Let us now study these basic operations on rational numbers.

9.9.1 Addition

 Let us add two rational numbers with same denominators, say .

We find 

On the number line, we have:

The distance between two consecutive points is . So adding to will mean, moving to the left of , making 5 jumps. Where do we reach? We reach at . So, 

Let us now try this way:

We get the same answer.

Find in both ways and check if you get the same answers.

Similarly, would be

Also, Are the two values same?

So, we find that while adding rational numbers with same denominators, we add the numerators keeping the denominators same.

Thus,

 How do we add rational numbers with different denominators? As in the case of fractions, we first find the LCM of the two denominators. Then, we find the equivalent rational numbers of the given rational numbers with this LCM as the denominator. Then, add the two rational numbers.

LCM of 5 and 3 is 15.

So,

Thus,

Additive Inverse

What will be

. Also, .

 

In the case of integers, we call – 2 as the additive inverse of 2 and 2 as the additive inverse of – 2.

For rational numbers also, we call as the additive inverse of and as the additive

inverse of . Similarly, is the additive inverse of and is the additive inverse of .

Try These

What will be the additive inverse of

km towards west. Where will he be now from P?

Thus, distance of Satpal from the point P would be

=

Since it is negative, it means Satpal is at a distance km towards west of P.

9.9.2 Subtraction

Savita found the difference of two rational numbers in this way:

=

Farida knew that for two integers a and b she could write a – b = a + (– b)

She tried this for rational numbers also and found, .

Both obtained the same difference.

Try to find in both ways. Did you get the same answer?

So, we say while subtracting two rational numbers, we add the additive inverse of the rational number that is being subtracted, to the other rational number.

Thus, = + additive inverse of

.

What will be 

9.9.3 Multiplication

Let us multiply the rational number by 2, i.e., we find .

On the number line, it will mean two jumps of to the left.

Where do we reach? We reach at . Let us find it as we did in fractions.

We arrive at the same rational number.

Find using both ways. What do you observe?

So, we find that while multiplying a rational number by a positive integer, we multiply the numerator by that integer, keeping the denominator unchanged.

Let us now multiply a rational number by a negative integer,

=

Remember, –5 can be written as .

So, =

Similarly, =

Based on these observations, we find that,

So, as we did in the case of fractions, we multiply two rational numbers in the following way:

Step 1 Multiply the numerators of the two rational numbers.

Step 2 Multiply the denominators of the two rational numbers.

Step 3 Write the product as

Thus, .

Also,

9.9.4 Division

We have studied reciprocals of a fraction earlier. What is the reciprocal of ? It will be . We extend this idea of reciprocals to non-zero rational numbers also.

Savita divided a rational number by another rational number as,

.

She used the idea of reciprocal as done in fractions.

Arpit first divided by and got .

He finally said . How did he get that?

He divided them as fractions, ignoring the negative sign and then put the negative sign in the value so obtained.

Both of them got the same value . Try dividing by both ways and see if you get the same answer.

This shows, to divide one rational number by the other non-zero rational number we multiply the rational number by the reciprocal of the other.

Thus,

Try These

Find: (i) (ii)

Exercise 9.2

What have We Discussed?

1. A number that can be expressed in the form , where p and q are integers and
q 0, is called a rational number. The numbers etc. are rational numbers.

2. All integers and fractions are rational numbers.

3. If the numerator and denominator of a rational number are multiplied or divided by a non-zero integer, we get a rational number which is said to be equivalent to the given rational number. For example . So, we say is the equivalent form of . Also note that .

4. Rational numbers are classified as Positive and Negative rational numbers. When the numerator and denominator, both, are positive integers, it is a positive rational number. When either the numerator or the denominator is a negative integer, it is a negative rational number. For example, is a positive rational number whereas is a negative rational number.

5. The number 0 is neither a positive nor a negative rational number.

6. A rational number is said to be in the standard form if its denominator is a positive integer and the numerator and denominator have no common factor other than 1. The numbers etc. are in standard form.

7. There are unlimited number of rational numbers between two rational numbers.

8. Two rational numbers with the same denominator can be added by adding their numerators, keeping the denominator same. Two rational numbers with different denominators are added by first taking the LCM of the two denominators and then converting both the rational numbers to their equivalent forms having the LCM as the denominator. For example, . Here, LCM of 3 and 8 is 24.

9. While subtracting two rational numbers, we add the additive inverse of the rational number to be subtracted to the other rational number.

Thus, = .

10. To multiply two rational numbers, we multiply their numerators and denominators separately, and write the product as

11. To divide one rational number by the other non-zero rational number, we multiply the rational number by the reciprocal of the other. Thus,

× (reciprocal of ) .