Q1. Is zero a rational number? Can you write it in the form , where and are integers and ?
Solution.
Yes. Zero is a rational number because it can be written as a ratio of two integers with nonzero denominator. For example,
etc., where the numerator and the denominator is any nonzero integer.
Answer: Yes; e.g.
Q2. Find six rational numbers between and .
Solution.
One easy way is to write and with a common denominator and pick fractions strictly between them. Using denominator :
Thus the fractions all lie between and .
(You can simplify some of them: , , etc.)
Answer (one possible list):
Q3. Find five rational numbers between and .
Solution.
Write and with a common (larger) denominator. Using denominator :
The fractions strictly between them are . (Some can be simplified, e.g. )
Answer (one possible list):
Q4. State whether the following statements are true or false. Give reasons for your answers.
(i) Every natural number is a whole number.
(ii) Every integer is a whole number.
(iii) Every rational number is a whole number.
Solution.
(i) True. Whole numbers = . Natural numbers (as used in the book) are . Every natural number is in the set of whole numbers.
(ii) False. Integers include negative numbers (e.g. ), but whole numbers do not include negatives. For example, is an integer but not a whole number.
(iii) False. Rational numbers include fractions like etc., which are not whole numbers. For example, is rational but not a whole number.
Answers: (i) True. (ii) False. (iii) False.
