Real Number System
Real Number System
Real Number System
Number Systems
The Real Numbers
In arithmetic, we learned that any two counting numbers may be added or multiplied.
𝒂 " 𝒃 ; 𝒂×𝒃 ; 𝒂 𝒃 ; 𝒂 𝒃 ; 𝒂 𝒃 ; 𝒂𝒃
Note that the sum and product of two counting numbers are defined. When three or more
counting numbers are added or multiplied, the result is obtained by adding or multiplying, two
counting numbers at a time.
When a and b are counting numbers with product ab, we say that a and b are factors of ab.
𝟑𝟐 = 𝟖×𝟒
A counting number greater than 1 is called a composite number if it has factors other that 1
and itself. Otherwise, the counting number is called a prime number.
The greatest common factor (GCF) of two counting numbers a and b is the largest counting
number which is a factor of both a and b.
The least common multiple (LCM) of two counting numbers a and b is the smallest counting
number for which a and b are both factors.
The Real Numbers
The set of integers is defined to be the set consisting of the positive, negative integers, and
zero.
But dividing two integers will not always give an integer result.
The collection of numbers consisting of the positive and the negative integers, zero, and the
fractions is called the set of rational numbers.
The Real Numbers
𝟏 𝟏 𝟓
Examples: 𝟕 = 𝟕. 𝟐𝟎𝟎 … ; = 𝟎. 𝟐𝟓𝟎 … ; = 𝟏. 𝟔𝟔𝟔 …
𝟓 𝟒 𝟑
The examples above shows a repeating decimal, this property is shared by all rational
numbers.
𝟏
Examples: 𝟐 = 𝟐. 𝟏𝟒𝟐𝟖𝟓𝟕 …
𝟕
𝟏
The example 𝟐 has nonrepeating and nonterminating decimals which makes it an
𝟕
irrational number.
The Real Numbers
Real Numbers
Integers Non-integers
8 :
= means that 𝑎𝑑 = 𝑏𝑐
9 ;
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐
× =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐
+ =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
Operations on Fractions
The value of a fraction is not altered if both numerator and denominator
are multiplied, or divided, by the same number, not zero.
5 5×3 15
= =
7 7×3 21
36 36 ÷ 12 3
= =
84 84 ÷ 12 7
Operations on Fractions
To reduce the fraction to lowest terms, divide numerator and
denominator by all their common factors
<8:= <=
>8:?
= >? (Divide out ac)
To multiply one fraction by another, multiply the numerator for a new
numerator, and the denominators for a new denominator
3 6 18
× =
5 7 35
Operations on Fractions
To divide one fraction by another, invert the divisor and multiply the
dividend by this inverted divisor
@ A @ >
<
÷ >
= ×
< A
To multiply a fraction by a number, multiply the numerator by the
number. To divide a fraction by a number, multiply the denominator by
the number
5 4 6 24
4× = × =
6 1 5 5
Exercises
Express the result by use of a fraction in lowest terms without a minus
sign in numerator or denominator.
A B <
1. < >
× ×@
<C
2. !"#
$
A;
3. 5𝑑 ÷ :
Positive Integral Exponents
Index Laws
1. In multiplying two powers of the same base, add the exponents
𝑎D 𝑎E = 𝑎DFE
2. In obtaining a power of a power, multiply the exponents
𝑎D E = 𝑎DE
3. To obtain a power of a power of a product, raise each factor of the
product to the specified power and multiply
(𝑎𝑏𝑐)E = 𝑎E 𝑏 E 𝑐 E
Positive Integral Exponents
Index Laws
4. To obtain a power of a fraction, raise the numerator and denominator
to the specified power and divide
8 E 8%
=
9 9%
5. In dividing one power of a specified base by another power of the
base, subtract the exponents
8& DGE 8& H
=𝑎 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 > 𝑛; = 𝑖𝑓 𝑚 > 𝑛
8% 8% 8 %'&
Exercises
1. (𝑎B 𝑥)A
B
=(
2. ?)
B
B8 ( = )
3. I8 ) =