1 1 Int-rod.

ucHon 08HCH01

ln Mathematics. we frequently come across simple equations to be solved. For example,

the equation .x + 2 13 = (1)

is solved when .x = 11. because this value of.x satisfies the given equation. The solution
J I is a natural number. On the other hand,. for the equation '
x+5=5 ( 2)

the solution gives the whole number O (zero). lf we consider only natural numbers,
equation (2 ) cannot be solved. To solve equations like (2). we added the number zero to
thecoHection of natural numbers and obtained the whole numbers. Even whole numbers
will not be sufficient to solve equations of type
X + J8 =5 (3)

Do you see •why' ?"We require the number - 13 which is not a whole number. This
led us to think of lntege~ (positive and neaadve). Note that the positive integers
correspond to natural numbers. One may thlf'.lk that we have enough numbers to solve all
simple equations with the available list of integers.. Now consider the equations
2x =3 (4)
5x + 1 =0 (5)

for which wt cannot find asolutioo from tbeimegcrs. (Check. this)

3 -7
We need the numbers to solve equation (4) and to solve
2 5
,xpiarion (5). 7bis leads us to the ooDcdbl ofnrdonal rmmbers..
We have already seen basic operations on rational
num.ber"i. We now try to e:xpkire some propcrtiQs o f ~
on the different types o f numbers seen so far.
2 Ill MATHEMAT ICS

1.2 Properties of R ational Numbers

1.2.1 Closure
(i) Whole numbers
Let us revisit the closure property for all the operations on whole numbers in brief.
/
Operation Numbers Remarks

Addition 0 + 5 = 5, a whole number Whole numbers are closed

4 + 7 = .... Is it a whole number? under addition.
In general, a + b is a whole
number for any two whole
numbers a and b.

Subtraction 5 - 7 = - 2, which is not a Whole numbers are not closed

whole number. under subtraction.

Multiplkation 0 x 3 = 0, a whole number Whole numbers are closed

3 x 7 = ... . Is it a whole number? under multiplication.
In general, if a and b are any two
whole numbers, their product ab
is a whole number.

5
Division 5 7 8=
8 , which is nota Whole numbers are not closed
under division.
'-
whole number.

Check for clos ure property under all the four operations for natural numbers.
(ii) Integers
Let us now recall the operations under which integers are closed.

Operation Numbers Remarks i

Addition -6 + 5 =- 1, an integer Integers are closed under
Is - 7 + (-5) an integer? addition.
Is 8 + 5 an integer?
In general, a + b is an integer
for any two integers a and b.
Subtraction 7 . .:. . 5 = 2 , an integer Integers are closed u~der
Is 5 - 7 an integer? subtraction.
- 6- 8 =- 14, an integer
 RATIONA L NUMBERS ■ 3

- 6 - (- 8) = 2 , an integer
ls 8 - (- 6) an i nteger?
In general , for any two integers
a and b, a - b i s again an integ e r.
Check if b - a is also an inte ger.
Multipli cation 5 x 8 = 40, an integer Inte gers are clo sed under
Is - 5 x 8 a n i n teger ? multiplication.
-5 x (- 8) = 4 0 , an integer
In general , for any two integers
a and b, a x bis also an integer.
5
Division 5 + 8 = , which is not Integer s are not closed
8
under division .
an integer.

You have seen that whole number s are closed under additio n and multipl ication
but
not under subtrac tion and division . Howeve r, integers are closed under addition , subtract
ion
and multipl ication but not under division .
(iii) Ration al numbe rs

Recall that a number which can be written in the form ; , where p and q are integers

is called a rationa l numbe r. For exampl e, - 2 6 9

3 , 7 , _5
and q -:1= 0
are all rationa l

- numbe rs. Since the number s 0, -2, 4 can be written in the form ; , they are
also
rationa l number s. (Check it!)
(a) You know how to add two rationa l number s. Let u s add a few pairs .
3 (- 5) 2 1+ (- 40)
-+ - - = - - - - - - 19 (a rational number)
8 7 56 56
- 3 (- 4) - 15+(- 32)
- + - - = - -- ---= Is it a rationa l number?
8 5 40
4 6
7 11
=
- +- Is it a ra tional number?
We find that ·sum of two rational numbers is again a rationa l number . Check it
for a few more pairs of rationa l number s.
W e say that rationa l numbe rs are closed unde r additio n. Tha t is, f or any
two rationa l numbe rs a and b, a+ bis also a rationa l numbe r .
(b) Will the differe nce of two rational number s be again a rational number
?
We h a ve,
-5 2 - 5 X 3- 2 X 7 -29
(a ratio na l number )
7 3 21 21
4 M A1 I t[MA1 ICS

5 4 2~ 12
8 5 = 40 Is it a rational number?

Is it a rational number?
Try this for some more pairs of rational number s. We find ~at rational number.,
are closed under s ubtrac tion. That is, for any two rationa l numbe rs a and
h. a - bis also a rationa l number.
(c) Let u s now see the product of two rational number s.
-2 4 - 8 3 2 6
- x- - -- · - x -=- (both the product<; are rational numbers)
3 5 - 15 ' 7 5 35
4 - 6
- - x-- - ls it a rational number?
5 II -
Take som e more pairs of rational numbers and c heck that their product is again
u rational number.
We say that rationa l numbers a re closed under multipl ica tio n . That
is , for any two rationa l number s a and b , a x b is also a rational
number .
- 5 2 - 25
( d ) We note that - -:- - = - - (a rational number)
3 5 6
2 5 - 3 - 2
-:- = •·· . Is it a rational number ? -:-
7 3 8 9 = ... . Is it a rational number?
Can you say that rational numbers are closed under divis ion?
W e find that for a ny rational number a , a-:- 0 is not defined .
So rational number s are not closed under division .
Howeve r, if w e exclude zero then the collectio n of, all other rational numbers is
closed under division .

Fill in the blanks in the followin g table.

/
~
Numbe rs Closed under
addition subtrac tion multipl ication division
Rationa l number s Yes Yes ... No
Integers ... Yes . .. No
Whole number s ... . .. Yes ...
,. Natural number s ... No . .. . ..
 5

1 '\
(i) Whole numbers
R ecall the commutativity of d ifferent operations for whole numbers by filling the
follo wing table.
Operation Numben R e m arks
Addition 0+ 7= 7+0 = 7 Addition is commu Q:llhlc..
2 + 3 = ... + ... = ....
For any two whole
numbers a and b .
a+b =b+ a
. ,. Subtraction Subtraction is not commutative•
f'.i
- - --------
Multiplication
--------
.........
-------- -------- ----
M ultiplication iscommotntivc.
1---------
Division
-------- --------Di-------- ------
vision is not commutative.
'-.

Check whether the commutativity of the operations hold for natural numbers also.
l (Ii) Integers
·. Fill in the following table and check the commutativity of different operations for
integers:
r
Operation N u m bers Remark s
[!
Addition .......... Addition is commutative.
S u btraction Ls 5 - (- 3) = - 3 - 5? Subtraction is not commutati vc.
Multiplication ········· Multiplication is commutntivc.

'-.
Divi'iion ......... Division i~ not commutative. ~

(W) Rational numbers

\ (a) Addition
You know h ow Lo a d d t wo rati o naJ n u mbers . Let u ~ add a fe w pair~ h e re .

- 2 +~ = - I- and ~+ ( -2 ) = - '-
3 7 21 7 3 21

So . ~2 + ~ = ~ + ( -32 )

Also, -/ +(~8) = ... and - 38 + ( - 56 )=...

IT.
ls -- 6 + -
5
(-8)-(-8
- - )+ (-6)?
3
- .
3 5
6 MATH EMAT ICS

Is
You find that two rational numbers can b e added in _any o rde r. W e s a y 1%
addition is ·commutativefor rational numbe r s. Tha,t is,for any trvo r atiof?QJ
numbers a and b , a + b = b + a .
(b) Subtraction

Is -23 --=---?
5
4
5
4
2
3·
1 3 3 1
Is --
2
- =---?
5 5 2 ·
You will find that subtraction is not com.mutative for rational numbers.
Note that s ubtraction is not comm utative for integers and integers are also rationa,
numbers. So, subtraction wilJ not be commutative for rationaJ numbers too.
(c) Multiplication

We have, -
3
7
x: = - 1:
2
=: 7
x (- )
3

ls -8 9
X ( -
7
4) = - 4 (-8)
7
X
9
?
.
Check for some more such products.
You will find that multiplic ation is commutative for r ational numhe rs.
In gen e ral, a x b = b x a for any two rational numbers a and b .
(d) Divis ion

Is :+ ~=~+ ( :)?
You will find that expression s on both sides are not equal.
So division is not com.mutative for rationaJ numbers.

- - ~ 1-iJ; • ?i2W \
Complete the following table:
/
Numbers Commutative for
addition subtraction multiplication division
RationaJ numbers Yes . .. . .. . ..
Integers ... - No . .. . ..
Whole numbers ... . .. Yes . ..
Natural numbers ... . .. . .. No
 RATIO NAL N UMBERS 7
,,
c: .
:. . ... ...,.
,,, -
-- (i) Whole numbers
'I Recall the associativity .of the four operations for whole numbers through this table:

Operation Numbers Remarks

Addition ..... ..... . .Addition is associative

Subtraction ....... .. ... Subtraction is not associative
.,
,
Multiplication Is 7 x (2 x 5) = (7 x 2) x 5? Multiplication is associative
Is 4 x (6 x 0) = (4 x 6) x O?
For any three whole
nu mbers a, band c
:i Division
a x ( b x c ) =(ax b ) x c
-... ........ Division is not associative _,

Fill in this table and verify the remarks given in the last column.
i; Check for yourself the associativity of different operations for natural numbers.

(ii) Integers
Associativity of the four operations for integers can be seen from this table
Ope ration NUIDber s Remar ks

Addition Is (-2) + (3 + (- 4)] A ddition is associative

1:1, = ((-2) + 3)] + (-4)?
,, Is (- 6) + [(- 4) + (-5)]
.,1-i = [(- 6) +(- 4 ) ] + (- 5)?
·:,
For any three integers a, band c
a+ (b + c) =(a+ b) + c
Subtraction Is 5 - (7 - 3) = (5 - 7) - 3? S ubtraction is not associativ e

Multiplication Is 5 x [(-7) x (- 8) Multiplication is associative

= (5 X (-7)] X ( - 8)?
1,, Is (- 4) X [(- 8) X (-5)]
= [(- 4) X ( - 8)] X (-5)?
tf For any three integers a, band c
1
,
!1
..
ax (b x c) =(ax b) x c
r,.
Division Is ((- 10) + 2] + (-5) Division is not associative
= (-10) + [2--:- (- 5)]? ./

r:·
,_

~
~ .
8 MATHEMATICS

(ill) Rational numbers

(a) Addition

[--2 +-3] + (-5)-

3 5
-- -1+ (-5)-
-- -
6
--27
-- -
15
_-9- 6 30 10

So, --2 + [3
-+ (-5)
- ]-[-2
- -+- 3] + (-5)
-
3 5 6 · 3 5 6

·2-1 + [3 + (-4)] [-1 3] + (-4)

3 .
Fmd
7 3 2 + and
7
Are the two swns equal?

Take some more rational numbers, add them as above and see if the two s ums
are equal. We find that addition is associative for rational numbers. That
is, for any three rational numbers a, band c, a+ (b + c) =(a+ b) + c.
(b) Subtraction
You already know that subtraction is not associative for integers , then w hat
about rational numbers.

Check for yourself.

Subtraction is not associative for rational numbers.
(c) Multiplica tion
Let us check the associativit y for multiplicati on.

-;x(!x~)= ;x~~=~~~= 53}

( !)x != ...
37 X

We find that
;x(!x~)=( ;x!)x!
Is
!x( ;x:)=(!x ;)x;?
Take some more rational numbers and check for yourself.
We observe that multiplic ation is associative for rational numbers. That ii
for any three rational numbers a, c, a band x(bx c) = xb) x
(a c.
 RATIONAL NUMBERS 9

(d) Division
Recall that division is not associati ve for integers, then whatabo ut rational numbers ?

Letusse eif ~+[ ~17!]=[~+(~1)]+:

2 5
(recipro cal of is )
5 2

= ~ +( -!) = ...
RHS =[~ +( )]+;~l

= ( ~ X ~3) +; = -;3 +; = ...

Is LHS = RHS? Check for yourself. You will find that division is
n o t associat ive for rational numbers .

Complet e the followin g table: -...

r
Number s Associat ive for
addition subtract ion multipli cation division

R ational numbers ... . .. . .. No

Integers ... . .. Yes . ..

Whole numbers Yes ... . .. . ..

Natural numbers ... No . .. . .. ~

'-

Examp le l: Find 7 i+(- )+(- )+(2-)

6
11
8
21 22

= 198
462 +(-252) +(-1"76) +(105)
6
4 2 462 462
(Note that 462 is the LCM of
7, 11, 21 and 22)

198- 252 - 176 + 105 - 125

= - --
462 - 462
10 MAn-tEM.ATICS

W e can also solve it as.

3 (-6) (-8J + 5
7+ I ) + 21 22

= [~ +( ;~J]+[ ~ +; 2
] (byusingcomm utativityandass ociativity)

= [
9
+;~B) ]+[- 1 5
; + ]
2
(LCM of7 a nd 2 1 is 2 1; LC M of I I a nd 22 is 22)

= - '- + ( -7 ') = 22 - 147 =- 125

2I 22 ) 462 462
Do you think the propcrtic-... of commutati" ity and a..,,oc1a1ivity made the calculations ea..,icr?

- -
I xa111plr 2· r-:111d - 4 x Jx l 5x( - l--t )
5 7 16 9
Solutio1 W cha,c

(
_ 4 x J )x( l 5 x ( 14 ))
5 x7 16 x 9

= - _, x( __' 5)=
3
1} J
4
- 12 x ( - 35)
35 X 2 -l 2
\ V e can al-.o d o it a, .

-4
- - x J x15
5 7
-x
16
(-14 )
--
9

l-
= 54 x
I
16
5) x [73x (-9 - 1-l )]
(Using co mmutativity and associativity)

- • e of zero (O)
f ....(x>k at the follov. in g.
2+0 = 0+2 = 2 (Additio n ofO to a whole number)
5+0 = ... + ... = - 5 (Addition of Oto a n integer)

(Additio n ofO to a rational number)

7
 RATIONAL NUMBERS ■ 11
~

You have done such additions earlier also. Do a few more such additions.
What do you observe? You will find that when you add Oto a whole number, the sum
is again that whole number. This happens for integers and rational numbers also.
In general, a + 0 = 0 + a = a, where a is a whole number
b + 0 = 0 + b = b, where bis an integer
c + 0 = 0 + c = c, where c is a rational number
Zero is called the identity for the addition of rational numbers. It is the additive
identity for integers and whole numbers as well.
1.2 .5 T he r ole of 1
We have,
5x1=5=1x5 (Multiplication of I with a whole number)
-2 -2
xt= .. . x ... =
7 7
3 3 3
8X ... =1X8=8

What do you find?

. You will find that when you multiply any rational num~r with 1, you get back the same
rational number as the product. Check this for a few more rational numbers. You will find
that, a x 1 = I x a = a for any rational number a.
We say that 1 is the multiplicative identity f o r rational numbers.
Is 1 the multiplicative identity for integers? For whole numbers?

THINK. DISCUSS AND WRITE

If a property holds for rational numbers, will it also hold for integers? For whole
numbers? Which will? Which will not?

1.2.6 Negative of a number

While studying integers you have come across negatives of integers. What is the negative
of 1? It is - 1 because 1 + (- 1) = (-1) + 1 = 0
So, what will be the negative of (-1)? It will be 1.
. Also, 2 + (-2) = (-2) + 2 = 0, so we say 2 is the negative or additive inverse of
·-2 and vice-versa. In general, for an integer a, we have, a+ (-a)= (-a)+ a= O; so , a
is the negative of- a and - a is the negative of a .
2
For the rational number
3 , we have,
2 + (-2) =O
3
 ~
B~ ,, hid"\ rntion31 nmnher w ould y\..~ lnuhir"l~ . ro ~ t the product 1 -~ Oh, , (.~ ~i ~ :-
21
21 . ~ :! l
- . 5'ln..~ -
S 21
, -=
8
l .
-5 7
S in"'lilrui~. nm.st be nm.ltiplied by so as to get the produc-t l .
7 5

\Ye say th3t ~ · is the reciprocru of" 8 and _7 is the recipTOCn.l o f - 5

8 21 5 7 .
C30 you say wbat is tberecipr-ocal ofO <._zero)?
Is ttlel'e a ratioo3l nwnber ,,ilich ,,-hen
multiplied by O g:h'es l ? thus.. ze,:u ll3S n o ~ ' ---.:_
C
'\Ve say that a rational number d is called the reciprocal or multiplicative in-n~·rse l '
a a c
anOlher non-zero rational number b if b x d = l .
.L.~.o D1st:nou"C.1v1" C.y 01 u..11.u on o, er ad.d1t1on for ration_
numbers
'""
To understand th.i s . consider the rational nun'lbers ----; . -=- - '\
3.Ild - - .
-+ 3 6

- 3 2 - 3 X 2 - 6 - l
Also --x- ---- = -- =-
4 3 4 x3 l2 ..,
 RATIONA L NUMBERS rl 13

- Dis tributi vity of Multi-

And plicati on over Addit io n
and Subtra ction.
For all rational number s a, b
Therefo re and c ,
a (b + c) = ab + a c
a (b - c) = ab - ac
Thus,

. di stn ut:Jvtty.
Find us mg .b . . (") {75 (-3)} {7 5}
1 x
12
+
5
x
12
(. ){9 4}+ {9 -3}
ll -X-
16 12
-X -
16 9

Write the additiv e inverse of the foIJowi ng:

When you use distribut ivity, you
-7 21 split a product as a sum or
(i) (ii) differen ce of two products .
19 112

7 -7 -7 7 -7+7 0
(i) is the additiv e inverse of 19 becaus e 19 + 19 = 19
-=O
19
19
21 -21
The additiv e inverse of 112 is 112
(ii) (Check !)

E x ample 4: Verify that-( -x) is the same asxfor

13 -21
= -17 (ii) x = --
(i) X 31
.
13
S o lution · (i) We have, x = 17
. . . _g. _ -J3 . g + ( - 13 )=0 .
The add1t1v e inverse of x- 17 1s - x- 17 smce 17 17

The same equalit y 17 +

13 (-13)
17 = 0, shows that the additiv e j nverse of
- 13
D . 13
1s
17
r -
-13) = 17 ,
(17 13
i .e ., - (-x) =x.

.) . . . f -2] . 21 . - 21 21
(ill Add1t1 vemve rseo x = - 1s - x= -3 smce - - + - = 0 .
31- J 3J 31
. - 21 21 21 - 21
The same equaht y + = 0, shows that the additiv e inverse of IS - -
31 31 31 31 '
i.e., - (- x) = x .
14 • MATHEMAT ICS

2 -3 1 3 3
Example 5: Find -x-----x-
5 7 14 7 5
2 -3 1 ·-3 3 2 -3 3 3 I
Solution: - x- - - - -x-
5 7 14 7 5 =5 x T -7x 5 - 14 (by commutati vityJ
\2
- -x-+
-3- (~3) 3
- x - - -
f.
- -5 ·7 .7 5 14, /

~ 7
3
G~ !) --:~ . (bydistributiv;,YJ
1 -3
-6-1 -1
- -xl-- _ ---
- 7 14 14 2

EXERCISE 1. 1
1. Using appropriate properties find .

(i)
2
3
3
- -x-+---x-
5
5
2
3
5
1
6
(ii) 2 x
5
(-I)- _!_ x I+
7 6 2
_1_ x
14
~
5
2. Write the additive inverse of each of the following.
2 -5
~

-6 2 19
(i) - (ii) - (iii) (iv) - ( v) - -
8 9 -5 -9 -6
3. Verify that- (:-x) =x for.
11 13
(i) x=- (n) x=--
15 17
4. Find the multiplicative inverse of the following.
-13 l -5 -3
(i) - 13 (ri) - - (ril) - (Iv) --x-
19 5 8 7
-2
(v) - 1 X S (vi) - 1
5. Nrune the property under multiplication used in each of the following.
-4 - 4 4 13 -2 -2 -13
(i) --Xl=lX--=-- (ri) --X-=-X--
5 5 5 17 7 7 17
-19X~=l
(iii)
29 -19
6 · -7
6. Multiply - by the reciprocal of - .
13 16
7. TelJ what property allows you to compute ~ x ( 6 x ; ) as ( : x 6) x ; .
8 1
8. Is the multiplicative inverse of - 1 ? Why or why not?
9 8
1
9. I s 0.3 the multiplicative inverse of 3
3 ? Why or why not?
 ' RA TIOll/. 1 N UMBEP S • 15

I().Wtito.
(i) The rutionnl number that docs not have a reciprocal.
(Ii) Tho rational numbers that are equal to their reciprocal s.
(iii) T he rational number that is equal to its negative.
11. Fill in the blunks.
(i) Zero has _ _ __ reciprocal.
(ii) The numbers and ____ _ are their own reciprocals
(iii) The reciprocal of - 5 is _ _ __
l
(jv) Reciprocal of - , where x ¢ O is _ _ __
X
(v) The product of two rational numbers is always a _ _ __
(vi) The reciprocal of a positive rational number is ___ __

1.3 Represen tation of Rational Numbers on the_ _ , ___

Number Line
The line extends
You have learnt to represent natural numbers, whole numbers, integers indefinitely o nly to the
and rational numbers on a number line. Let us revise them. right s ide of I .

Natural numbers
(i)
J 2 3 4 5 6 7 The line extends inde
to the right, but fro
Whole numbers There are no num bers
left of 0 .
(ii)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Integers The line e

indefinitely on both
(iii) Do you sec a ny nu
-3 -2 - 1 0 1 2 3 4 between - l . 0 ; 0 , I

Rational numbers
(iv)
- 1 -1.. 0 ..!. 1 e line extends indefini
2 2 o n both s ides. But you
n o w see numbers betw
(v) - 1. O; O. I etc.
0 ..!. ? 1
3
The point on the number line (iv) which is half way between O a nd I has been

labelled .! .Also, the first of the equally spaced points that divides the distance between
2
1
0 and 1 into three equal parts can be labelled 3 , as on number line (v). How wou ld you
label the second of these divis ion points on number line (v)?
16 MAT HEMAT ICS

T h e point to be labelle d is twice as far from and to the right of

O a s the p .
1 Otnt
1 2 .
labelle d
3.
So it is two times i.e .•
3. 3.
You can contmu e to label equally -spaced Points
011
the numbe r line in the sam.e way. In this contin uation . the next markin
g is 1 . You can
. the s ame as 3
see th at 1 1s - .
3
4 5
The n com es - . - • -6 (or 2), -7 and s o on as s hown on the numbe r
3 3 3 3 line ( vi)
0 2 3
(vi)
~ .!. 2 2 ~ ~ ~ 1 ~ .2. ~
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3
I
8 , the number line
S imil arly , to re prese nt m ay be di v ide d into e ight equal parts as
s h o wn :
0
I
W e u s e the numbe r to n a m e the firs t p o int o f th is d i v is io n . The s econd point of
8
2 3
di v is io n w ill b e la b e ll e d
8 , the third p o int . and s o on as s hown on number
8
line (vii)

1
(vii)
0 I 2 i 4 ~ ~ 7 ~
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
Any r a tional numbe r can be represe nted on the numbe r line in this way.
In a rational
numbe r, the nume ral belo w the bar. i.e ., the d e nomina tor. tells the numbe
r of e qual
parts into which the firs t unit has been divided . The numer al above the
bar i .e ., the
nume r a to r , t e ll s •how many ' of these parts are con s ide red. So, a rationa
l number
4
s u c h as mean s four of nine equal parts on the right of O (numb er line viii) and
9
- 7 1
for
4 ,w e make 7 markin gs of di s tance
4
e a c h on the l eft of zero and starting
-7
from 0 . The s e v e nth markin g is [numb er line ( ix)].
4
I

'@'
(viii) I I I I
0 .!. ~ i ~ 5 6 7 ~ .2.
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

- 1
(ix) I I I I I
- 3 - 2 -=1. 0
4 4 4
 RATIONAL NUMBERS rl 17

Write the rational number for each point labelled with a letter.
A B C D E
(i)
0 ? 2 3 ? ? ~ 1. ? ? 10 11
5 5 11
5 5 5 5 5 5
J I H G F
(ii)
- 12 - I0 - 9 - 6 - -4 - 3 - 1 0
- 6- ? - --- ? ? ? ?
6 6 6 66 6 6
o 1 Nt; 1 hL-b 1-<'l'°' ,e,.,.
o 't_,_•·1onal Numbers -P

Can you tell the natural numbers between 1 and 5? They are 2, 3 and 4 .
How many natural numbers are there between 7 and 9? There is one and it is 8 .
How many natural numbers are there between 10 and 11? Obvious ly none.
List the integers that lie between - 5 and 4. They are - 4, - 3, - 2 , - 1, 0 , 1, 2 , 3 .
How many integers are there between - 1 and 1?
How many integers are there between - 9 and - 10?
You will find a definite number of natural numbers ( integers) between two natural
nwnbers (integers).
3 7
How many rational numbers are there between and ?
10 10
. 4 .5 6
You may have thought that they are only ,
10 10
and
10 .
3 30 7 70 31 32 3 3
B utyoucanalsowrite as and as . Nowthenumbers, , ,
10 100 10 100 100 100 100
68 69 3 7
, · ·· , , are all between and . The number of these rational numbers is 39.
100 100 10 10
3 3000 7 7000
Also can be expressed as and as . Now, we see that the
10 10000 10 10000
3001 3002 6998 6999 3 7
rational numb;ers , , ... , , are between and . These
10000 10000 10000 10000 10 10
are 3999 numbers in all.
In this way, we can go on inserting more and more rational numbers betwee n ~
1
and .2.... . So unlike natural numbers and integers, the number of rational numbers between
10
two rational numbers is not definite. Here is one more example.
-l 3
How many rational numbers are there between and ?
10 10
0 I 2 . .
Obvious ly , , 10 are rational numbers betwee n the given numbe1·s.
10 10
18 MATHEMATICS

- 1 - I 0000 3 30000
ff we write as and as , we get the rational numbers
10 100000 10 100000
-9999 -9998 -29998 29999 -1 3
100000 ' 100000 '· · · ' 100000 ' 100000 ' between 10 and 1 0 ·
You will find that you get countless rational numbers between any two given
ratio nal numbers.
Exa.J'Tl- 6· Write any 3 rational numbers between-2 and 0.
-20 0
Solution: -2 can be written as IC) and Oas .
10
-19 -18 -17 -16 -15 -1
Thus we have - - , - - , - - , - - , - - , ... , - between -2 and 0.
10 10 10 10 10 10
Yo u can take any three of these.
-5 5
Example 7. Find any ten rational numbers between and .
6 8
-5 5
Solution: We first convert and to rational numbers with the SaIUe denominators.
6 8
-5 X 4 -20 5 X 3 15
6 X 4 - 24 and 8 X 3 24
-19 -18 -17 14 . -20 15
Thuswehave--,-- - - . , .... ,-astherat1onalnumbersbetween and- .
M M'M M 24 ~
You can take any ten of these.
Another Method

Let us find rational numbers between 1 and 2. One of them is 1.5 or 1 ~ or ~ . This is the
mean of 1 and 2. You have studied mean in Class VIl.
We find that between any two given numbers, we need not necessarily get ar
integer but there will always lie a rational number.
We can use the idea of mean also to find rational numbers between any two giver
rational-numbers.

Example 8: Find a rational number between _!_ and _!_ .

4 2
Solution: We find the mean of the given rational numbers.

( ~ + ~) 7 2 = ( :
1 2
) 7 2 = ! X ~= !
3 1 I A
8
lie s between
4 2and . « • I
0 I · 1 3 I
This can be seen on the number line also. 4 2 4
 RATIONAL NUMBERS ■ 19

We find the mid_point of AB which is C, represented by ( : + ~) + 2 =

1 3 1 '
!.
We find that < <
4 8 2.
If a and b are two rational numbers, then a + b is a rational number betwee n a and
a+b 2
b such that a< - - < b.
2
This again shows that there are countless number of rational numbers between any
two given rational numbers.

Example 9: Find three rational numbers between ..!.. ·and _!_ .

- 4 2
Solution: We find the mean o f the given rational numbers.

3 1 3 1
As given in the above example, the mean is and < < . .!. .J.. .!.
8 4 8 2 4 8 2

1 3
8 . For this, we again find the mean
We now find another rational number between a nd
4
1 3
of
4
and
8 . That is,
1 5 3 l 5
- < - < - <- - .!. .J.. .!.
4 16 8 2 4 16 8 2

3 1 7 1 7
N ow find the mean o f and . We have, (¾+ ~ )+ 2 = - X - = -
8 2 8 2 16
l 5 3 7 1
Thus we get - < - < - < - < -
4 16 8 16 2. .!. .2. .J.. . l .!.
4 16 8 16 2
5 3 7 I 1
Thus, ,
16 8 ,
16
are the thre e rational numbers be tween and .
4 2
This c an clearly be shown o n the number line as follo w s:

0 .!. . .J.. .!. .J.. 1

4 8 2 4

In the sam e w a y w e can o btai n a s many rational n umbe rs a s w e want betwee n two
given rational numbers . You have noticed that there are countle ss rational numbers between
any two given ratio nal numbers.
 ◄

20 Cl MATHEMATICS

EX ER CI SE 1.2
7 -5
J. Rep rese nt
thes e num bers on the num ber line. (i) 4 (ii) 6
t - 2 - 5 - 9 on the num ber line .
2. Rep rese n 1 I • 1 1 • 1 1
3. Writ e five ratio nal num bers whi ch are sma
ller than 2.
-2 1
4. Find ten ratio nal num bers betw een
5 and 2 ·
5. Find five ratio nal num bers betw een.
2 4 ~3 5 l l
(i) 3 and 5 (ii i) 2 d
an 3- (rii)
4
and
2
6. Wri te five ratio nal num bers grea ter than
-2.
7. Fmd ten ratio nal num bers betw een 3 and 3
- ·
5 4

t~ WH AT HA VE WE DI SC US SE D~
t. Rational num bers are dos ed und er the oper
J:i.. , .
0

• • JIii
I (i)C001mutative for ratio nal num bers .
(n1 asso ciat ive for ratio nal num bers .
atio
2. 1be oper atio ns addi tion and mul tipli catio
n arc .
ns of addi tion . subt ract ion and mul tiph cati on.

3. The ratio nal num ber O is the add itive iden tity
for ratio nal num bers .
4. 1be rational num ber 1 is the mul tipl icat
ive iden tity for ratio nal num bers .

5. 1be add itive inve rse of the ratio nal num ber a a
b is - b and vice -ver sa.

6. 'The.red pro cal or mul tipl icat ive inve

rse of the ratio nal num ber a is ~ if a x ~ = 1 .
. b d b d
7. Dist ribu tivit y of ratio nal num bers : For all ratio I

nal num bers a, ban d c,

a(b + c) = ab + ac and =
a(b - c) ab - ac
S. Rational num bers can be, repr esen ted on
a num ber line .
9. Betw een any two ~ve n ratio nal num bers ther

________
e are
help s us to find ratio nal num bers betw een two ratiocou ntle ss ratio nal num bers . The idea of mean
nar num bers .
_____;