Rational Number Definition
A number that can be represented in the form of a fraction is called a Rational Number. The word Rational has been derived from the word "Ratio" because it means "Divide".
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Note:
You can read about Current Ratio in detail on another page of our website.
For example,
2/3 is a rational number because it is represented in the form of a fraction.
Here are some examples of Rational Numbers in the following.
- 2/7 is a rational number.
- 5.75 is a rational number because it can be shown as 575/100.
What is the Opposite of a Rational Number?
An irrational number is the opposite of a rational number. It means that a number that can be written in the form of a fraction is called an Irrational number.
For example,
3.33333….. is an irrational number because its denominator is not specified.
Note:
You can read about “Irrational numbers” here.
How to denote Rational Numbers?
In Mathematics, Rational numbers are denoted by “Q”. Its representation can be changed with the level of education or in different books. But generally, shows the rational number.
A rational number can be written by two integers in a fraction format. The integers can be positive or negative. In simple, a Rational number can be positive or negative.
Can we convert a decimal into a Rational number?
A decimal can be converted into a rational number. But there is a condition that a decimal should fulfill for this conversion.
- A decimal can be converted into a rational number only when it has a defined number after the decimal.
For example,
3.14 can be converted into a Rational number because it has 2 digits after the decimal point while 3.141414…… can’t be converted into a rational number because the denominator can’t be defined as the digits after the decimal are undefined.
FAQ's
Is Pi a rational number?
No, “Pi” is not a rational number because it neither converts into a terminating decimal nor a whole number when divided.
How to convert a decimal into a rational number?
A decimal can easily be converted into a rational number by removing the decimal point and placing the required multiple of 10. But it can’t be converted into a rational number if you have infinite numbers after a decimal.
Can we change a non-terminating number into a rational number?
No, a non-terminating number can’t be changed into a rational number.
What is the second name of non-terminating numbers?
The second name for non-terminating numbers is "Irrational Numbers".
