Rational Numbers
A rational number is a number that can be written as a quotient of two integers. Whole numbers and integers are part of the set of rational numbers, as shown in Venn diagram.
Terminating and Repeating Decimals: If you take a rational number in the form a/b and carry out the division of a by b, the quotient will be either a terminating decimal or a repeating decimal. In a terminating decimal, the division ends because you obtain a final remainder of zero. In a repeating decimal, a digit or block of digits in the quotient repeats without end.
Writing Decimals as Fractions: To write a terminating decimal as a fraction or a mixed number, use the place of the last digit to determine the denominator of the fraction.
Read the explanation below to learn more about rational numbers.
Practice: Answer the following exercises about rational numbers.