Rational numbers

Rational numbers :- The numbers of the form p/q , where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero, q≠ 0 , are called rational numbers. 

0 is neither positive nor negative. 

Example-  Numbers 3/5 , -1/14 is a rational number. 

- Every integer is a rational number. 

- Every whole number is a rational number because every whole number can be expressed as a fraction.

Positive rationals - A rational number is said to be positive if its numerator and denominator are either both positive or both negative. 

Example - 3/7 or -6/11 are positive rationals. 

Negative rationals - A rational number is said to be negative if its numerator and denominator are of opposite signs. 

Example- -7/9, 4/-11 are negative rationals. 

Some important facts :-

1. The product of a rational number and its reciprocal is 1.

2. Zero '0' has no reciprocal. 

3. The reciprocal of a positive rational number is positive. 

4. The reciprocal of a negative rational number is negative. 

5. Every natural number N can be written as n/1 which is a rational number, but a rational number such as 1/n need not be a natural number. 

6. Zero is a rational number, as it can be expressed as 0/q  where q is any non-zero integer. 

7. Every fraction is a rational number, but a rational number need not be a fraction. 

8. Zero is called the additive Identity or the Identity element for the addition of rational numbers.

9.Zero is the additive inverse of itself.

10. It may be noted that 0 is the only rational number which is its own additive inverse.

11. 

Practice Questions