What is a Rational Number

What is a Rational Number A rational number is a number which has a numerator and a denominator. Rational numbers are also called as fractions and in some cases they can also be described as a part of the whole. Generally rational numbers are represented in a/b form where a and b are any integers except b 0. If the number in the denominator is 0, then the rational number becomes undefined and is no more called a rational number. In some cases rational numbers can be simplified further as well. Example 1: Add the given two rational numbers: 4/7+ 3/7. Given expression: 4/7+ 3/7 Here both 4/7 and 3/7 are fractions and they are being added together. In order to add or subtract two fractions, we have to make sure that the fractions have the same denominator. Both 4/7 and 3/7 have the same denominator 7, hence they can be added directly! This gives: 4/7+ 3/7= (4+ 3)/= 7/7. 7/7 can be simplified by dividing the top and the bottom by the factor 7-7/7= 1/1 Therefore, 4/7+ 3/7= 1/1= 1. Example 2: Multiply the given two rational numbers, (3/5) * (4/6) Given rational numbers: (3/5) * (4/6) Now in order to multiply the given two rational numbers, we multiply the numbers in the numerators together and the numbers in the denominators together. This gives: (3/5) * (4/6) = (3 * 4)/ (5 * 6) = 12/30 Now we can simplify 12/30 by dividing the top and the bottom with their common factor 6- 12/30 = 2/5 Hence we get: (3/5) * (4/6) = 2/5.