Rational Numbers
Rational numbers are numbers that can be expressed as the quotient or fraction of two integers, where the denominator is not zero. In other words, a rational number is a number that can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers and q is not equal to zero. This includes integers, as every integer can be represented as a fraction with a denominator of 1. Rational numbers can be positive or negative, and they can also be expressed as terminating or repeating decimals.
Examples of rational numbers include 3/4, 1/2, 5/8, -5/3, and -32/43. Additionally, the number 0 is also considered a rational number because it can be expressed as a fraction, such as 0/1, 0/-4, or 0/18,572.
In contrast, irrational numbers cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. Examples of irrational numbers include the square root of 2, π, and e.
In summary, rational numbers are a fundamental concept in mathematics, representing a wide range of numbers that can be expressed as fractions of integers, making them an essential part of number theory and mathematical analysis.
