1.

2
Real Number system
Learning objectives or outcomes:
On the completion of the chapter the students will be enable to ….
i) State field axioms and order axioms of real numbers.
ii) Define interval and absolute value of real numbers.
iii) Interpreted real numbers geometrically.

1.2.1 Introduction:
From ancient time, numbers have been using different forms unknowingly, during
the early days of human civilization, primitive man had no idea of even most
common numbers. Today, many kinds of numbers are known out of them, counting
numbers are known commonly as the natural numbers step by step and other number
systems have been developed. Finally, any number system that can be found in the
real world is called a real number. In fact, it is the set of all the numbers that can be
shown on the real line or as a decimal form. In the 17 th century Rene' Descartes was
introduced real and imaginary roots of polynomial. It is extremely useful in everyday
life which helps us to count and measure the different quantities such as time,
energy, mass, velocity and many more. The set of all real numbers is denoted by R.
Indeed, in this chapter, we are going to study real numbers and some subsets of real
numbers. There are many types of real numbers, such as:
1. Natural Numbers:
Natural numbers are the numbers which are positive integers and include
numbers from 1 to infinity (). Indeed, these numbers are countable and are
generally used for the calculation purpose. The set of all natural number is
denoted by N.
 N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ………..
Since, the natural numbers is closed under addition and multiplication. But, it is
not always closed under subtraction and division; for examples:
Let 2, 3 N. Then, 2 + 3 = 5N
5, 6N Then, 5 × 6 = 30N.
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But,
1 – 3 = – 2N and 52 = 2 = 2.5 N
Note:- The sum or product of two natural numbers is again a natural numbers.
But, the difference and quotient of two natural numbers may not be
always a natural numbers.
2. Whole Numbers: The whole numbers are the numbers which includes all the
positive integers from 0 to infinity () or the complete set of natural numbers
along with 'O' is called whole numbers. Since, all the natural numbers are whole
numbers but all whole numbers are not natural numbers. The set of whole
numbers is denoted by W.
W = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,……
Since, the whole numbers is closed under addition and multiplication. But, it is
not always closed under subtraction and division. For examples:
Let 1, 2  W. Then, 1 + 2 = 3W
1, 6  W. Then, 1.6 = 6 W
But,
1 – 2 = – 1 W and 16 =  W
3. Integers: An integer is a whole number (not a fraction) that can be positive,
negative or zero. Therefore, the numbers ….–3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3 ….. are all
integers. The set of all integers is denoted by Z or I.
Z or I = …– 3, – 2, – 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ……
Also,
Z+ = set of all positive integers
= 1, 2, 3, 4, ……
Z– = Set of all negative integers.
= …… – 3, – 2, – 1
So,
Z = Z+0Z–
Since, the set of all integers is closed under operation addition, subtraction and
multiplication but it is not always closed under division. For examples:
–2, –5  Z. Then,
–2 + (–5) = – 7Z
–2 – (–5) = – 2 + 5 = 3Z
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–2 × (– 5) = 10Z.
But, –2  –5 = = = 0.4 Z.
4. Rational Numbers: The set of numbers which is in the form of ; q0, where p
and q both are integers is called the set of rational numbers. It is denoted by Q.
 Q = x: x = ; q 0}, P and q both belongs to Z
Since, the rational numbers is expressed in terminating or non-terminating
repeating decimals. For examples:
i) 0, , , 22/7 and
ii) = 0.2 (Terminating decimal)
iii) = 0.333 …. or 0.– (repeating decimal)
iv) = 0.181818…… or 0.– (repeating decimals).
Since, the set of rational numbers is closed under addition, subtraction,
multiplication and division. For examples:
Let, and Q. Then,
i) + = – = = = Q.
ii) – = + = = = Q.
iii) × = Q.
iv)  = × = Q.
5. Set of irrational numbers: The set of numbers which are not rational are
known: as irrational numbers or in other words, the set of all numbers which
cannot be expressed in the form of ; q 0 where p, q Z is called set of
irrational numbers. It is denoted by –.
Since, the irrational numbers can also be expressed in non-terminating and non-
repeating decimals:
For examples:
 = 3.14 15926535 …. (Not repeating)
e = 2.7182818……(Not repeating)
= 1.41421….. (Not repeating)
And,
and which are in the form, q 0 and P and q are not both integers.
6. Real numbers: The union of rational and irrational numbers form a set of real
numbers. The set of real numbers is denoted by R. For example:
 R = Q –
The following flow chart shows that;
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Real Numbers

Rational Numbers (Q) Set of irrational Numbers (Q)

Integers Fraction

Negative integers Whole numbers

zero Natural numbers

Venn-diagram of real number system.
R
Q
Q
Z
W

Since, NWZQ/–R.

Real Numbers:- Rational and Irrational

Rational:- Integers and Fractional
Integers:- Negative, positive and zero

1.2.2 The field axioms:

Axiom is the mathematical statement which is accepted without proof. There are two
fundamental algebraic operations on the set R of real numbers i.e. addition and
multiplication.
A field is the set of elements for which the familiar operation of addition (+) and
multiplication are defined and behave in the usual way. In other word:
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A set F with two binary operations addition (+) and multiplication () is called a filed
if it satisfies the following properties:
Let a, b, c  R.
1. Closure property: a + bR and a.b R
2. Commutative property:
Addition: (a + b) = (b + a)
Multiplication: a.b = b.a
3. Associative property:
Addition: a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c
Multiplication: a.(b.c) = (a.b).c
4. Identity property:
Addition: a + 0 = a = 0 + a.
Multiplicative: a.1 = a = 1.a
Whereas 0 and 1 are the additive identity and multiplicative identity in R
5. Inverse property
Addition: For each a, there is an additive inverse – a, such that a + (– a) = 0 =
(– a) + a.
Multiplicative: For each non-zero a, there is multiplicative inverse (a  0) such
that a. = 1 or a.a–1= 1 = a–1. a
Whereas 0 and 1 are the additive inverse and multiplicative indentity.
Note: It does not satisfy for natural number, whole numbers or integers.
6. Distributive property
Addition: a.(b + c) = a.b + a.c (left distributive property)
Multiplication: (a + b).c = a.c + b.c (right distributive property)
Any set of numbers which satisfies above properties are called field axiom
whereas, set of real numbers and set of rational numbers are the field but set of
irrational numbers not field.
1.2.3 Order Axioms:
The set of real numbers which satisfier the following properties is called axioms:
a) Trichotomy property: For all a, bR, either a > b or a = b or a < b,
Note: For arbitrary real numbers a and b, exactly one of three relations a < b,
b < a or a = b holds.
i) a > b and b > c  a > c.
ii) a < b and b < c  a < c.
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b) Additive property: for all a, b, c  R
i) a > b  a + c > b + c.
a<ba+c<b+c
ii) a > b and c > d  a + c > b + d
similarly,
a < b and c < d  a + c < b + d
c) Multiplicative property:
a) For all a, b, c,  R, c>0
i) a > b  ac >bc ii) a < b  ac <bc.
b) For all a, b, c  R, c < 0.
i) a > b  ac < bc. ii) a < b  ac > bc

c) For all a, b, c, d all are positive.

i) a > b and c > d  ac > bd. ii) a < b and c < d  ac < bd.
The above mentioned properties only hold for real numbers but it does not
hold for complex number.
Density property: If a < b then there is a real number c such that a < c < b.
The density property states that there are countless (infinity) rational numbers
between two real numbers. If a and b be two real number by trichotomy law;
a<b a+a<a+b<b+b
 2a < (a + b) < 2b
 a << b.
And, is a real number.

1.2.4
a) Geometrical representation of a rational number in a real line rational.
The set of all the real numbers can be represented graphically by the real
numbers line or a real line where origin is chosen anywhere and all the numbers
right from the origin at a unit length arranged in ascending order is called
positive real numbers and the numbers at a unit length from right to left in
descending order is called negative real numbers. The number zero is neither
positive nor negative.

– –2 –1 0 1 2 
There is one to one correspondence between the set of real numbers and point on
the number line. Every real number corresponds to a unique point on the number
line and vice versa.
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b) Geometrical representation of irrational numbers in a number line.
Any irrational number can be represents in a number line for example, is an
irrational number, it can be on the number line as.
A

X' X
E –1 O D C

Draw a number line and mark one-one unit at the right and left form origin then with
the same length as between 0 and 1, draw a line OA, AD  OD, Now, by Pythagoras
theorem,
OA2 = OD2 + AD2
or, OA2 = 12 + 12
or, OA2 = 1 + 1
or, OA2 = 2
 OA =
Now, with OA as a radius and O as the centre cut an arc on the same number
line and name the point C and E; since OA is the radius of the arc and hence, OC
will also be the radius of the arc whose length is . Also, OE is the radius of an
arc whose length is .
 Hence, C and E represent an – on the real line.

1.2.5 Inequality:
An inequality is a relation which make a non-equal comparison between two
numbers. If a, b, R Then, we say that (a – b)  o or (b – a)  0.
 In this case, we say that a is greater than b or b is less than a.
 The notation a < b means that a is less than b.
 The notation a > b means that a is greater than b. In either case, a is not
equal to b. These relation are known as strictly inequalities which can be
stated as a is strictly greater than or less than b.
 The notation a  b means that a is less than or equal to b
 The notation a  b means that a is greater than or equal to b.
 The notation a > b means that a is not greater than b.
 The notation a < b means that a is not less than b.
Symbol Meaning
a<b a is Less than b
a>b a is Greater than b
 Mathematics| 46 

ab a is Less than or equal to

b
ab a is Greater than or equal
to b

1.2.6 Intervals
Let 'a' and 'b' be any two numbers on the real line with a < b. The set of all the
numbers lying between a and b is called an interval and the points a and b are the
ends of the interval. Since, an interval may or may not contains the end points a and
b. Intervals play very crucial role in the theory of integration. For examples, the set
of all real numbers R, the set of all non-negative real numbers the set of positive
numbers, the empty set and any singleton sets are the examples of it. Mainly there
are four types of intervals.
a) Open-interval: An open interval is an interval that does not include its end
points. The open interval x: a < x < b is denoted by (a, b) symbolically,
(a, b) = x: a< x< b Note: ( ) is called parantheses.
sometimes, non-standard notation ] a, b [ also used for open interval. The
graphic of the above open interval (a, b) is shown below:
a 
x b

a b
b) Closed interval: A closed interval is an interval that includes the end points
and the set of all the points between them. The closed interval {x: a  x  b} is
denoted by [a, b]
Symbolically, [a, b] = {x: a  x b}
The graph of the closed interval is shown below:
a 
x b

a b
c) Left closed or right open interval
An interval containing the end point a and not containing the end point b is
known as the left closed or right open interval. It is denoted by [a, b)
symbolically,
[a, b) = {x: a  x < b}
 Mathematics| 47 
The graph of it is shown aside.
a 
x b

a b
d) Left open or right closed interval
An interval not containing end point a and containing the end point b is
known as left open or right closed interval, It is denoted by (a, b].
Symbolically,
(a, b] = { x: a < x  b}
The graph of it is shown aside.
a 
x b

a b
Note: (i) the length of the interval (a, b) is (b – a) units.
1 – 2 = – 1W and 16 = W
ii) The solid circle () indicates that the end points is included and () indicates
that the end point does not include.

1.2.7 Absolute Value/Modulus Value/Scalar Value/Magnitude/Numerical

Value
The absolute value or modulus of a real number x denoted by |x| is a non-negative
value of x without regard to its sign:
Numerically,
|x|= x if x ≥ 0
{−x if x< 0
For examples:
(i) |0| = 0 (ii) |3| = 3 (iii) |– 3| = – (– 3) = 3
Clearly, |x|  o.

Geometric interpretation
The absolute value of a real number is the number's distance from zero on a number
line.
 Mathematics| 48 
–   And |a – b|
– – – 0 + + + a b
Sin
ce, the distance of the point – 3 from the origin is 3. So, | – 3| = 3 and the distance of
3 from origin is 3. Then |0| = 0.
Properties of absolute values
Let a and b be any two real numbers, then
1. a  |a| and – a  |a|. 2. |a. b| = |a| . |b|
3. = , b  o. 4. |a + b|  |a| + |b| [Triangle inequality]
5. |a – b|  |a| – |b|. 6. If a  o, then |x|  a if and only if – a  x  a.
Proof:
1. If a  0 then – a  0
 – a  0  |a|
 – a  |a|.
If a  0, then |a|  0  a.
a |a|.
Hence a  |a|, – a  |a|. Proved.
Here,
2. We know that,
|ab|2 = (ab)2
= a2. b2
= |a|2.|b|2
= (|a|.|b|)2
 |ab| = |a| |b|
3. Here,
We know that,
=
= =
 = , b  o.
4. Prove that |a + b|  |a| + |b| [Triangle Inequality]
Here, 1st method,
We know that,
|a|2 = a2, then
 Mathematics| 49 
2 2
|a + b| = (a + b)
= a2 + 2ab + b2
= |a|2 + 2ab + |b|2
 |a|2 + 2|a|. |b| + |b|2 since, a  |a|, b  |b|
= (|a| + |b|)2
 |a + b|  |a| + |b| proved.
Second method,
– |a|  a  |a| and
– |b|  b  |b|.
If follows that,
– |a| + (– |b|)  (a + b)  |a| + |b|.
Or, – (|a| + |b|)  (a + b)  (|a| + |b|)
 |a + b| |a| + |b| Proved
Third method;
If (a + b)  0, then |a + b| = ( a + b)
 |a + b|  |a| + |b| [ a  |a| & b  |b|].
If (a + b)  0, then | a + b| = – (a + b)
 | a + b| = – a – b.
 |a + b| = (– a) + (– b).
 |a + b|  |a| + |b| [ – a  |a| and – b  |b|]
5. Prove that |a – b|  |a| – |b|
Here,
Put a – b = p.
Then, a = p + b
Or, |a| = |p + b|
Or, |a|  |p| + |b| since, |a + b|  |a| + |b|
Or, |a| – |b|  |p|
Or, |a| – |b|  | a – b|
 |a – b|  |a| – |b|. Proved.
Corollary: For any a1, a2, a3……………. an in R..
We have,
|a1 + a2 + a3 + ……. + an | | a1| + |a2| + |a3| + …… + |an|.
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6. If a  o, then |x|  a if and only if – a  x  a.

Here,
For all x R, x  |x|.
Let |x|  a Note: x  | x | and – x  | x |
x  |x| < a.
x < a ……….. (i)
Again for all x R, – x  |x|.
Let |x|  a
 – x  |x| a
 – x a Note: 2 3 but – 2  -3
 x  – a ………….. (ii)
Combining (i) and (ii), we get
– ax a.
Conversely, We prove that if – a  x  a, then |x|  a.
Firstly, let us take x a
If x  0 (i.e. x is non-negative), then |x| = x

Or, |x| = x  a Note: |x|= {−xx ififxx<≥ 00

Or, |x|  a ............(iii)
Again, let us take – a  x
 a–x
 –xa
If x  0 then |x| = – x.
Or, |x| = – x  a
Or, |x|  a ……………. (iv)
Hence, from (iii) and (iv) we get
|x|  a.
 – a  x  a  |x|  a.
Hence, |x|  a ⇔ – a  x  a
Also, |x| ≤ a ⇔ – a ≤ x ≤ a
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Worked out example:
Example 1: Evaluate:
a) |5| – |– 8| + 4 (b) | – 3| – | – 8|.
Solution:
a) |5| – |– 8| + 4 b) |– 3| – | – 8|
Here, Here,
|5| – 8 + 4 |– 3| – | – 8|
=5–8+4 =3–8
=9–8 =–5
=1
Example 2: If a = 1, b = – 3, verify the following:
a) |a + b|  |a| + |b| b) |a – b|  |a| – |b|.
Solution: Here,
a) L.H.S. R.H.S
|a + b| |a| + |b|
= |1 + (– 3)| = |1| + | – 3|
= |1 – 3| =1+3
= | – 2| =4
=2
 | a + b|  |a| + |b| which is true Prove.
Example 3: If – 3  2x + 5  7, Prove that : – 4 x 1
Solution: Here,
– 3  2x + 5  7
Subtracting 5 from each terms, we get
Or, – 3 – 5  2x + 5 – 5  7 – 5
Or, – 8  2x 2
Dividing each terms by 2, we get

 – 4 x 1 proved
Example 4: Rewrite – 3  x – 7  5 in the form (i) a  x  b i.e inequality form
(ii) [a, b] i.e. interval form (iii) |x – a|  c i.e. absolute form.
Solution:
 Mathematics| 52 
i) Here,
– 3 x – 7  5
Adding 7 to each term, we get
– 3 + 7 x – 7 + 7  5 + 7
 4 x 12
ii) Here,
{x: a x b} = [a, b]
And, 4 x 12 = [4, 12]
iii) Here,
Since, |x – a|  c  – c x – a  c
Now,
– 3x – 7  5
 – 3 + 7 x – 7 + 7  5 + 7
 4 x 12
Subtracting 8 from each term; we get
4 – 8 x – 8  12 – 8
 – 4 x – 8  4
 |x – 8|  4 Which is in the terms of |x – a|  c.
Example 5: If A = [– 1, 3) and B = [2, 4]
Compute: (A  B) and (A – B)
Solution: Here, –  –  –  –  0 1 2 3 4 5 ...
A = [–1, 3)
B = [2, 4]
 A  B = [– 1, 3)[2, 4]
= { x: – 1 x 3}  {x: 2 x 4}
= {x: – 1 x 4}
= [– 1, 4].
And,
A – B = [–1, 3) – [2, 4]
= { x : – 1 x 3} – {x: 2 x 4}
= {x: – 1 x2} = [– 1, 2)
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–  –  –  –  0 1 2 3 4 5 ...
Example 6: Rewrite |4x – 7|  2, without absolute value sign and x between
inequality sign and draw its graph.
|4x – 7|  2
 – 2  4 x – 7  2 [ | x| a  – ax a]
 – 2 + 7  4x – 7 + 7 2 + 7
 5  4x 9
 
 x

–  –  – 0 5 9 ..... +
4 4
Example: 7 Write the following by using the modulus sign:
(a) – 1 x 5 (b) – 4 x – 1
Solution: Here, (a)
– 1 x 5
Corrected factor = = = = 2
Subtracting 2 from each term; we get
– 1 – 2 x – 2  5 – 2
– 3 x – 2 3
|x – 2|  3 [– a x – b  a  |x – b|  a]
For (b) – 4  x  – 1
Corrected factor =
==
Subtracting from each term.
– 4 – x –  – 1 –
 – 4 + x +  – 1 +


Multiplying by 2 to each terms we have
–2×2×2×
 – 3  2x + 5  3
 | 2x + 5|  3 [– a x a  |x|  a].
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Next Method:-
–4x–1
Since, LHS and RHS are even and odd respectively,
We multiply both sides by 2 to make both even, hence
–8x–2
Adding 5 on all sides,
– 8+5  x+5  – 2+5
–3x3
 | 2x + 5|  3 [ – a  x  a  |x|  a].

Example: 8 Solve the inequality: |2x + 1|  3. Represent the solution in a real

number line.
Solution:Here, |2x + 1|  3
Case I: If (2x+ 1) 0, then
(2x + 1)  3
 2x 3 – 1
 2x 2
 x
 x 1
 x [1,)
Case II: If (2x + 1)  0, then
– (2x + 1)  3
 2x + 1  – 3
 2x – 3 – 1
 2x – 4
 x – 2
 x( – , – 2]
Required solution set is (– , – 2][1, )
x–2 x1

–  –  – – 0 +1 + 2...... + 
Example: 9 Solve the inequality
Solution: Here,
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The corresponding equation of given inequality is

Or, x + 2 = 0
Or, x = – 2

Now,
= exists for all x 0 and x 3 – – 0 3 +
Since, the whole real numbers are divided in the
intervals (– , – 2), (– 2, 0), (0, 3) and (3, )
Intervals Value of
(– , – 2) – ve
(– 2, 0) + ve
(0, 3) – ve
(3, ) + ve
From the above table possible intervals are (– 2,0)  (3, ) as  0.
x (– 2, 0) U (3, )
Example: 10 Prove that is an irrational number.
Solution: Here,
Let us assume that be a rational number.
= where q  0 and p and q both are integers and do not have common factors.
squaring both sides; we get
5=
Or, p2 = 5q2 ………. (i)
Now, p is divisible by 5.
P = 5k where k is positive integer.
Again, squaring both sides.
P2 = 25 k2
Or, 5 q2 = 25k2 (From i)
Or, q2 = 5k2
q is divisible by 5.
From both the relations p and q have a common factor 5. Which contradicts our
supposition.
Hence is an irrational number.

Exercise:2
1.Evaluate the following:
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(a) |8 – 10| (b) |– 3| – | – 5| + |7| (c) ||15| – | – 3| + |2||

2. If x = – 3, y = 4 and z = – 5. Then, verify each of the following:
(a) |x + z|  |x| + |z| (b) |y – z|  |y| – |z|
(c) |xyz| = |x|.|y|.|z| (d) =
3. Find the solution set of
a) 4x + 3  2x – 1 b) – 7x + 5  3x – 15
c) 2x – 3  x + 2 d) 5x – 2  3x – 8
4. a) If – 14  3x – 8  –2, prove that – 2 x 2.
b) If – 6  3x + 3  12, prove that – 3 x 3.
c) If – 3  5x + 7  22, prove that – 2 x 3
5. Write the following without using modulus (absolute) value sign.
a) |4x – 3|  5 b) |3x – 4|  6
c) |2x – 1|  3 d) |5x + 2|  7
6. Write the following using absolute value sign:
a) – 2  x 4 b) –4x–1
c) –6x2 d) –8x1
7. If A = [– 3, 2] and B = [– 2, 3], find the following and draw the graphs of the
indicated operations.
a) A  B b) A  B c) A – B d) B – A
8. Solve the following without using modulus sign and represent a solution in a
real line.
a) |x + 2|  4 b) |3x + 2|  1 c) |2x – 1|  5 d) |2x + 1|  3

9. Solve:
a) (x2 + 7x + 10)  0 b) (x2 – 2x – 3)  0
c) 0 d) x(x – 2) (x + 4)  0.

10. Using the properties of real numbers. Prove that:

a) If a.b = b.c, then a = c.
b) ¿If c  d and e  f, then c + e  d + f
c) If a  b and c  d, then a – c  b – d.
d) If a  b and c  o then 
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Answer:
1. a) 2. b) 5. c) 14.
3. a) x  – 2 b) x ≥ 2 c) x¿1 d) x¿ – 2.
4. a) - 2 ¿ x ¿ 2 b) -3≤x ≤ 3 c) - 2 ¿ x ¿3
5. a) – ¿ x ¿ 2 b) – ≤ x ≤ (c) -1≤x ≤2 d) – ≤ x ≤1
6. a) -3≤x ≤ 3 b)¿ 2x+5|≤ 3 c) ¿x+2| ¿ 4 d) ¿ 2x+7| ≤9
7. [–3,3],[–2,2],[–3,–2]and [–2,3]
8. a) - 6¿ x ¿2 b) -2≤x ≤–1 c) -2≤x ≤3 d) (– ∞ ,–2]
[1,∞)
9. a) [–5,–2] b) (– ∞ ,–1] [3,∞ ) c) (– ∞ ,–1]
[0,2) d)( -∞,-1) ∪ (0,2)

Activities and Project work

1. Prepare a report on short history of number system.

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