Rational Numbers - Complete NDA Foundation Notes
1. What is a Rational Number?
A rational number is any number that can be written as a fraction p/q,
where:
- p is an integer
- q is a non-zero integer (q != 0)
2. Examples of Rational Numbers:
- 2/3 -> Both numerator and denominator are integers
- -7/5 -> Negative rational number
- 4 = 4/1 -> Every integer is rational
- 0 = 0/1 -> Zero is also rational
- 1.25 = 5/4 -> Terminating decimal
- 0.333... = 1/3 -> Recurring decimal
3. Properties of Rational Numbers:
Closure Property:
- Rational numbers are closed under addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
Example: 2/3 + 1/4 = 11/12 (rational)
- Not closed under division by 0.
Commutative Property:
- a + b = b + a and a × b = b × a
Associative Property:
- (a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
- (a × b) × c = a × (b × c)
Identity Element:
- Additive identity = 0 -> a + 0 = a
- Multiplicative identity = 1 -> a × 1 = a
Inverse:
- Additive Inverse: a + (-a) = 0
- Multiplicative Inverse: a × 1/a = 1 (except 0)
4. Number Line Representation:
Rational numbers can be plotted on the number line.
Examples: 3/4 lies between 0 and 1, -5/2 lies between -2 and -3.
5. Infinite Rational Numbers:
There are infinite rational numbers between any two rational numbers.
Example: Between 1 and 2: 3/2, 4/3, 5/4, etc.
6. Rational vs Irrational:
| Rational Number | Irrational Number |
|------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Can be written as p/q | Cannot be written as p/q |
| Repeating/terminating | Non-repeating, non-terminating|
| Examples: 3/4, -2 | Examples: pi, sqrt2 |
NDA Relevance:
- Important topic for NDA Maths paper.
- Frequently tested through MCQs on properties and classification.