3.

Rational Numbers

You Know
moer system including natural numbers. whole numbers and intey

numbers for addition, subtraction and multiplicatio

properties of
basic mathematical operations on integers and fractions

You will Learn

concept of rational numbers
equivalent rational numbers
the standard form of rational numbers
representation of rational numbers on a number line
to compare and order rational numbers
operations on rational numbers

We have studied natural numbers, whole numbers and integers. We have also studied the basic
operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on them. Let us see some more examples

of basic operations with natural numbers, whole numbers and integers.

4+2 6 7-5 2 -4-6-10 2x(-5) =-10

These are simple questions with answers as natural numbers, whole numbers or integers.
Now let us divide the following

10+2 5 6+(-3)-2 45 0.8 (-14)+4

Here we find here that ll the quotients of the division are not whole numbers or integers; sometimes
we get a positive or a negative fraction as quotients.
The number systems that we have studied so far does not include fractions. The number system in
which the fractions are also included is called rational numbers.

Rational Numbers
The word rational comes from the word "ratio'. A
ratiO p: q is written as in the form of fraction. Any
number in the form ofis a rational number if
p and g are integers and #0. Rational
represented by .
q numbers are
While studying fractions we have studied the definition
a and b are whole numbers and denominatorb is not zero.
of fraction as any number in the form ofWhere
A rational number is also a fraction that can have the
numerator and the
denominator as an integer.
For example,
a 2 is à natural number, however we can express it as hence 2 belonas to O.
()-3 is an integer, however we can express it as hence -3 belongs
.
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0 is also a rational number as it can be written 0 0E
as rational numbers
5 etc
Thus, we can conclude that

all natural numbers, whole numbers, integers natural

are also rational ntegerswnole

umbers numbers
numbers.
all fractions are rational numbers.
Diagrammatically we can represent it as given alongside.
Need for Rational Numbers
Natural numbers such as 1,2,3,... are
basically used for counting. Then zero was invented to represent
absence of something. For
example,
6-60.
All natural numbers along with zero are known as whole numbers.
To represent negative natural numbers, there was a need to extend the number
system. These numbers,
together with whole numbers, are called integers.
We know that 10+ 5 2 , but what is the result of 5 + 10? The number system was thus extended by
including numbers of the type etc., which are known as rational numbers orfractions.

Positive and Negative Rational Numbers

Arational number is said to be positive if both the numerator and the denominatorare positive or negative.
If both the numerator and the denominator are negative, the negative signs
cancel out and we get a positive rational number.

Thus, 1 4 a r e all positive rational numbers.

Arational number is said to be negative if either the numerator or the denominator is a negative integer.
21
Thus, 11E areallnegative rational number.

0 is neither positive nor a negative rational number.

Equivalent Rational Numbers

We know that two fractions are equivalent, if they have the same value. Similarly two rational numbers
are equivalent if they have the same value.

For example,

(-6-164
In the above examples, andare all equivalent rational numbers astheycan be reduced to
the same value

is a rational number, then or are its equivalent rational numbers.

m 9+m

49
 Example 1 Give any three rational umbers equivalent too
a.
b.
64
Solution:
a. 33x2-6
X28
b.32-22-
2 4 644 16
4x4 12 32
64

8' 12 16 are all 3216 R are all

rational numbers equivalent to 3 rational numbers equivalentt o .
Standard form of a Rational Number
A rational number is said to be in the standard form if
the denominator is positive.
tne number is in the lowest terms i.e. the numerator and denominator are co-prime, they have no
other common factor except 1.
For example, 15 is not in standard form as the numerator and denominator have 5 as the common
factor.

20:-
is the lowest form ofhenceis
20 the standard form of 20
To find the common factor of the two terms we can take the HCF of the terms and then divide.

Example 2 Write the following rational numbers in their standard form.

3
a b. -28
Solution:
a.
b.
HCF of 8 and 12 is 4.
Inthe denominator is negative.
To make it
positive,
and denominator multiply the numerato
by (-1).
Thus, is the standard form
of
8 :44x
C.
-28 Thus,is the standard form of
42
HCF of 28 and 42 is 14.

-28
42
-28142
42 14

Thus,is the standard form of42

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Representation of Rational Numbers on a Number Line
In earlier classes, we have learnt representation of whole numbers and integers on a number line.
For representation of rational numbers, positive numbers are taken to the
right of zero and negative
numbers are taken to the left of zero. The numbers are arranged in the ascending order on the number
line from left to right.
To represent rational numbers on the number line, the unit length is divided into as many equal parts as
the denominator of the rational number, then the rational number is marked on the number line.

Example3 Represent P= and Q = o n the number line.

Solution
Here the denominator is 2, so we divide the unit length of the
number line into two equal parts -1
2 1

-4 3
Example 4 Represent A = and B =On the number line.
Solution:
Since the denominator is 10, divide the unit length of the number line into ten equal parts.
B

10 T 10 10 10

Example5 RepresentX =
and Y on a number line.

Solution:
Since the denominator is 4, divide the unit length of the number line into four equal parts.

We knoW willie between -1 and-2.

2-
Comparison and Ordering of Rational Numbers
We know that numbers are arranged in the ascending order on the number line as we move from the
left to the right. Thus, each number on the right is greater than the number on its left.

Thus,
all positive rational numbers are greater than 0.

all positive rational numbers are greater than all negative rational numbers.

all negative rational numbers are less than 0.

Thus, to compare a n d w e can draw a number line as follows:

-2

From the above number line we can say that-

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 Rational numbers can also becompared
using the property of cross products
Expressing rational numbers with a common denominato
Using the property of cross products
fand are two rational numbers and p xy> q *x,then q y

Example 6 Compare a.
15 and 17 .and
Solution
a. 15 and7 b. and
4 x 17 6 8 (4) x 6 (-24)

6 x 15 = 90 (-5) x 5= (-25)

Since 68 90 Since(-24) > (-25)

Expressing rational numbers with a common denominator

Ratonal numbers can also be compared by finding a common denominator for all the given rationa
numbers and then comparing their numerators. A common denominator can be found by taking the
LCM of the denominators of the given rational numbers.

Example 7 Compare a.
17and . and 4
Solution:
7
a.
12and 2 12, 16
LCM of denominators 12 and 16 is
2 x2 x 2 x 2 x3 =48
3, 2
1212 x4 48 16=16x3 15
48 3, 1
1, 1

Since 4hence2
b. Writing the given rational numbers in the standard form
we get,
321,
and
LCM of denominators 21 and 14 is
2x3x7=42
212414x3=
Since>2
21 T
52
 Example 8 Arrange the rational numbers andin ascending order.
Solution:
2106
Writing each rational numberin the standard form we get, and
LCM of the denominators 10, 5 and 6 2x3x5 = 30 5 5, 1, 5
1, 1,

30 Nand
9
Since,-25 <-12 <-9,
so2

Hence, the given rational numbers in ascending order areA

Example 9
Arrange the rational numbers andin descending order.
Solution:
2 9, 18, 3
LCM ofthe denominators 9, 18 and 3 2 x3 x3 = 18 3 9, 9,
2 and
Since,-5>-8>-12, so 1
Hence, the given rational numbers in descending order are

Rational Numbers between two Rational Numbers

Any number of rational numbers can be found between two given rational numbers.

For example, the rational numbers andhave the same denominator.

Therefore, the rational numbers between these two numbers will be a n d

and
Let us take anothertwo rational numbersand
We will first convert them into rational numbers with same denominators.
LCM of denominators 7 and 2 is 2 x 7= 14

2-2x241 1x7 7
T214 227 14
We know ,7
14 14
4141441441414141414
123 4 5 6
Hence,
14 1414'1414
and e between
and

53
 and-2.
b e t w e e n - 4

Example 10 Write any five rational numbers

Solution:
Let us rewite the integers with denominator 5 as follow
-2- 10 4 S--20
5 5
Now2010
10

b e t w e e n - 4 and-2.

So, we have found 5 rational numbers (

Example11 Write four more numbers in the following pattern.

-1-2-34
4 8 1216
Solution:
-1x44
We have, -1x2-3-1x3 4-1x4-1x11 -1x2-2-1x34x3 12 4x4 16
4x2 12 4x3 16 4x4 4x1 4 '4x2 8
Thus, we observe a pattern in these numbers.

The other numbers would be 4x5

-1x55 -1x6-6 -1x7-7 -1x8
20 4x6 24 4x7 28 4x8 32

Let's Exercise.
Exercise 3.1
1. Express the following numbers as rational numbers

a. 15 b. -5 C. d.-2.5 e. 3.4 f.4

2. Write the following rational numbers in their standard form.
-8 5
a. 12 b. C. d. 10 e. .
3. Write three equivalent rational numbers for each of the following.
b.
a.

-30
c.
.

d.25
4. Express as a rational numberwith numerator-5.
3
5. Express as a rational numberwith denominator 48.

6. Which of the following pairs of rational numbers are

equivalent?
b.
a.and 14 and 2 C.
245and
7, Represent the following numbers on the number line.
d.and20
b.
C.
d. - 8 4 -10

54
8. Find the value of x, to make an
equivalent rational number in each of the following.
a12 b.
1-2 d.
0
9 Fill in the blanks with
' or >
sign, using the
e
9927
property of cross products.
a.
10 C.
d. 8010

10. Arrange the following rational numbers in

.-20233
the ascending order.
a 16 6 b.
C.15 , 810
5

11. Arrange the following rational numbers in the descending order.

b. 11. 1620
12. Find four rational numbers between

a. 4 and 2
b. -6 and -8
13. Find five rational numbers between.

a. and6 b.and-10
14. Write the next three rational numbers in
each of the following series.
12 3 4
a6 12
a.
O0 b. 01520HHHH
Operations on Rational Numbers
So far we have learnt to add, subtract,
multiply and divide integers as well as fractions. Let us now leam
these basic operations on rational numbers.
Addition of Rational Numbers
Addition of rational numbers is similar to the addition of fractior
Case 1: When the denominators of the rational numbers are equal
To add rational numbers with the same denominator, we will add the numerators and divide the
the common denominator.
sum by

Ifthe two rational numbers areand then *5

Example 1Add: a. b.

Solution:
b.

Case 2: When the denominators of the rational numbers are different

To add rational numbers with different denominators, take the LCM of all the
denominators and express
each rational number with the LCM as the denominator. Now, since the
denominators are same, add
the numerators.

55
 D.B 12
Example2 Add: a. 1 4
Solution:
27 14
a. 4 7, 7
14
1
14 is 2 x 7
LCM of 7 and
12 12*2-24andi4x4
8, 12
2 4, 6
b. 2 2
2 2, 3
3 24
LCM of 8 and 12 is 2 x2x2x
3 1, 3
7x2 14 1, 1
and 12224
8,14 16)2414- then convert it into a rational
denominator,

number with a negative

sign in the
here is a rational
number with a positive integer.

Subtraction of Rational Numbers be considered a s addition d

another rational
number can
Subtraction of a rational numberfrom
additive inverse ofto

- (cditve inverseaf )=+() b. from15

2
Example 3 Subtract: a.from

Solution:
a. additive inverse of
S-(-929,9
b. 1521s (adlitiveinverseof2) G) 2 15, 12
2 15, 6
LCM of 15 and 12 is 2
x 2 x 3 x 5 60
3 15, 3
=8 25)_8-25_-17 5 5, 1
60 60 60
| 1, 1
Example 4 The sum of two rational numbers is . f one of the numbers isfind the other.

Solution
The second number will be-(5
LCM of 7 and 21 is 21.

- 3-)
Thus, the second rational numberis
-22-
56
 Exercise 3.2
1. Add the following rational numbers.
a. b.

e. 11
12 15 h. 3
2. Write the additive inverse of the
following.
a. b. C. 3
13 e.
17 27
3. Subtract
a. 9
b.18 (-18) C. 13
e.
2 12 . 9G
h. 1527
4. What should be added 13 35
toto get?
5. What should be subtracted
fromto get?
6. The 18
sum
of two rational numbers isE If one of the numbers is find the other number.

Multiplication of Rational Numbers

As in thefractions, multiplication of the rational numbers is also defined as:

Product of the
the given
given rational
rational numbers
numders = Product of the numerators
Product of the denominators
Thus, ifandare two rational numbers thenx
Ifa rational number is given in the mixed form then, it should be first converted into the formand
then multiplied.
Example 1 Find the product of the following.

b.

Solution:
b.

.
Reciprocal of a Rational Number
The reciprocal of a fraction is obtained by interchanging the numerator and the denominator.
Thus, the reciprocal of is2
Similarly, the reciprocal of a rational
mberi
57
The product of a rational number and its reciprocal is always 1.

x=1
Hence, is the multiplicative inverse of
For example, the reciprocal of

Thus, the multiplicative inverse ofi

Zero has no reciprocal

1 and-1 are the only rational numbers which are their own reciprocals.
The reciprocal of a negative rational number is also negative.

Example 2 Find the reciprocals of the following.

a. .

Solution:

a. Reciprocal of b. Reciprocal of c.Reciprocal of

Division of rational numbers

We know that division is the inverse of multiplication. If p and q are integers and q # 0, then

p+4=p x
(reciprocal of q) =p x

Similarly, itandaretwo rational numberssuch that0, then *reciprocalof x

Division by zero is not defined.

In the division of two rational numbers, the numerator and the denominator of the divisor should
not be zero.

Example 3 Divide: .-)

Solution:

3
.-)
15

-1

58
Example4 The cost of 17 erasers
is 25, what is the cost of 1 eraser?
Solution:

Cost of 1 eraser 25 =

1.50
Hence, the cost of 1 eraser is7 1.50.

Exercise 3.3
1. Multiply:

a.18 ) d.
11
9

2. Write the reciprocal of:

g-228 h.

a. b.
d.
e.
45 t.4 g1010
7
h.

3. Divide:

a. b. 4

d. e. -101

4. The product of two rational numbers is Ifone of the numbers is find the otherr
35

5. By which rational number should gg be multiplied to obtain 7?

6. The speed of a train is 65 km/h. How much distance will it travel in 10 h?

Find the sum ofreciprocal of and the additive inverse of

15

Recollections
Any number in the form ofis a rational number if p and q are integers and q #0

A rational number is said to be positive if both the numerator and the denominator are positive or

negative.
negative if either the numerator or the denominator is a negative
A rational number is said to be

integer.
Iris a rational number then9m
rational number and m is a common divisorthen=P*n
is a

59
 Two rational numbers are equivalent if they have the same va
Aatonal number is said to be in the standard form if the denominator is pOsitive and the numerator

and denominator have no other common factor except 1.

represent a rational number on the number line, the unit length is divided into as many parts as

the denominator of the rational number.

given rational numbers.
Any number of rational numbers can be found between any two
ne four basic operations of arithmetic +,-, X, + Can be applied to the rational number system.

Ifthe wo rational numbers areandthen P+

Subtraction of a rational number from another rational number can be defineaa

additive inverseof ) -.()

Product of rational numbers = Product
-
of the numerators
Product of the denominatorss

Reciprocal of a rational number

lfand are two rational numbers such that#0, then * (reciprocal of ) d

Check Your Understanding

1. Choose the correct option.
The reciprocal of 2 is
. ii.
13
b. Which of the following is a rational number in its standard form?

i. . ii.
-11 v.14
c. The product of a rational number and its reciprocal is always
i. 1 ii. 0 ii. -1 iv. 2

d. An equivalent rational number foris

i. i. ii. 52 52
117
iv.117
e. What should be subtracted from
6
to get
i. i.
9
2. Fill in the blanks.

a. The multiplicative inverse of 4

b. Negative rational numbers ie to the. .of zero on the number line.
C.
1125 in the standard form will be

60
 d. There are.
rational numbers between
any two rational numbers.
26
e.is
39 equivalent to ****
3

3. Find any three rational numbers

between:
aand and
4 The sum of two rational numbers
is lf one of the numbers is -7 find the other number.

Review Exercise
1. Express the following numbers as rational numbers.
a. -2 b. 6 C. 1 d. 3
2. Write the following rational numbers in their standard form.
5 -4
a. b. 13 45

3.
10
Write three
C. 55
d.5
equivalent rational numbers for each of the following.
a C. 1 d.

4. Express 42 as a rational number with numerator-6.

5. Expressas a rational number with denominator 91.

6. Represent the following rational numbers on the number line.
a. c 1 2

7. Find the value of x to make an equivalent rational number in each of the following.
C. 48
a.
126
8. Fill in the boxes with '<' or >' sign using the property of cross products.

a. 4 b.-55 C.

rational numbers in ascending order.

9. Arrange the following
C.

10. Arrange the following rational numbers in descending order.

3
12
and
11. Find four rational numbers between

12. Write the next three rational numbers

in each of the following series.
-11 -22-3344
28sHHE 12 24 36 48

61
13. Add the
following rational numbers.
a. 2 b. )
d. .

14. Subtract the

following.
-3
a.from
13 3 b.from5 C.from d.from
15. What should be added
toto get ?
16. The sum of two rational numbers i s I f one ofthe numbers is find the other number.

17. Multiply:

a. -22
95 45
88 b. d. 4-1 52
18. Divide:

a.
168 .2 C.
d.1
19. Find four rational numbers between:

aand b.and
20. By what number shouidbe multiplied to get?
21. The product oftwo rational numbers is fone ofthe numbers is find the other number.
15

22. The cost oftwo dozen handkerchiefs is 8 5 . Find the cost of one handkerchief.

23. How many pieces each of length m can be cutfrom a wire 60m long?
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As on 09.05.2019

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