1.1.7

Rational vs Irrational

Test yourself on Rational vs Irrational

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Rational & Irrational Numbers

A rational number is a number that can be written as a ratio of two integers. An irrational number is a number that cannot be written as the ratio of two integers.

Rational numbers

Rational numbers

  • A rational number is a number that can be written as a ratio of two integers.
    • In general, any decimal that ends after a number of digits (such as 7.3 or −1.2684) is a rational number.
  • We can use the place value of the last digit as the denominator when writing the decimal as a fraction.
    • The decimal for 13\frac {1}{3} is .3\overline {.3}. The bar over the 3 indicates that the number 3 repeats infinitely.
Rational numbers - 2

Rational numbers - 2

  • Every rational number can be written both as a ratio of integers pq \frac {p}{q}, where p and q are integers and q≠0, and as a decimal that stops or repeats.
    • Since all integers can be written as a fraction whose denominator is 1, the integers (and so also the counting and whole numbers) are rational numbers.
Irrational numbers

Irrational numbers

  • Are there any decimals that do not stop or repeat? Yes!
  • The number π (the Greek letter pi, pronounced “pie”), which is very important in describing circles, has a decimal form that does not stop or repeat.
    • We use three dots (…) to indicate the decimal does not stop or repeat.
      • E.g. π=3.141592654...
  • The square root of a number that is not a perfect square is a decimal that does not stop or repeat.
    • These are all irrational numbers.
Summary

Summary

  • If the decimal form of a number:
    • Repeats or stops, the number is a rational number.
    • Does not repeat and does not stop, the number is an irrational number.
Jump to other topics
1

Proof

2

Algebra & Functions

2.1

Powers & Roots

2.2

Quadratic Equations

2.3

Inequalities

2.4

Polynomials

2.5

Graphs

2.6

Functions

2.7

Transformation of Graphs

2.8

Partial Fractions (A2 Only)

3

Coordinate Geometry

4

Sequences & Series

5

Trigonometry

6

Exponentials & Logarithms

7

Differentiation

8

Integration

9

Numerical Methods

10

Vectors

Practice questions on Rational vs Irrational

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
Answer all questions on Rational vs Irrational

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium