1.

Rational and Irrational numbers

We are familiar with natural numbers, whole numbers, integers and Rational numbers.

1) Whole numbers -
0, 1, 2, 3, 4 ……..

2) Natural numbers –
1, 2, 3, 4, ……

3) Integers -
…., − 4, − 3, − 2, − 1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 …..

4) Rational numbers -
−25 10 32 67
3
, −7, −4, 0, 3, 8, 3
, 5, etc.

Rational numbers -
𝑚
The numbers of the form are called rational numbers.
𝑛

Here, 𝑚 and 𝑛 are integers but 𝑛 is not zero.

Let’s learn

To show rational numbers on a number line –

7 −2
Let us see how to show 3, 2, 3
on a number line.

Let us draw a number line.

−2 2 7
3 3 3

• We can show the number 2 on a number line.

 7 1
• 3
= 7 × 3, therefore each unit on the right side of zero is to be divided in three
7 7 1 1
equal parts. The seventh point from zero shows 3; or 3
= 2 + 3. Hence the point at 3
7
rd distance of unit after 2 shows 3.

−2 2
• To show 3
on the number line, first we show 3
on it. The number to the left of 0 at
−2
the same distance will show the number .
3

Practice set 1.1

1. Show the following numbers on a number line. Draw a separate number line for
each example.
𝟑 𝟓 𝟑
(1) 𝟐, 𝟐, − 𝟐.
3 1 1 5 1 3 1
2
=1 2
= 1 + 2; 2 = 2 + 2; - 2 − 1 − 2.

Here, the denominators of the given numbers is 2.

3
So we divide each unit distance into 2 equal parts. − is the number to the left of 0
2
3
at the same distance of 2
on the right of 0.

𝟕 −𝟐 −𝟒
(2) , ,
𝟓 𝟓 𝟓

7 2 7 2
5
= 1 + 5 5
is at 5th distance after 1 on the right side of zero.

Here, we divide each unit distance into 5 equal parts.

 −5 11
(3) 8
, 8

11 3 11 3
8
= 1 + 8 8
is at 8
th distance after 1 on the right side of zero.

13 −17
(4) ,
10 10

13 3 17 7
10
= 1 + 10
; − 10 = −1 − 10
.

2. Observe the number line and answer the questions.

(1) Which number is indicated by point B?

Ans. (1) The point B is at half distance of unit after −2 on the left side of zero. ∴ the
−10 −5
number 4
or 2
is indicated by the point B.

𝟑
(2) Which point indicates the number 1 𝟒?
3 3
Ans. 1 4 means 4th distance of unit after 1 on the right side of zero. This number is
indicated by the point C.

𝟓′
(3) State whether the statement, ‘the point D denotes the number 𝟐
is true or false.
5 1
Ans. 2
= 2 2. Half distance of unit after 2 on the right side of zero. The point D is at
this place.
5′
∴ the statement ‘the point D denotes the number 2
is true.

Let’s learn.
Comparison of rational numbers –

We know that, for any pair of numbers on a number line the number to the left is
smaller than the others.

1. If the numerator and the denominator of the rational number is multiplied by any
non-zero number, then the value of the rational numbers does not change

𝑎 𝑘𝑎
i.e. , (K≠O)
=
𝑏𝑘𝑏
2. For any pair of number on a number line, the number on the left side is smaller
than the number on the right.
3. Negative rational numbers is always less than positive rational numbers.

5 2
Ex. (1) Compare the numbers 4
and 3. Write using the proper symbol of <, =, >.

5 5×3 15 2 2×4 8
Solution: 4
= 4 × 3 = 12 3
= 3×4
= 12
15 8 5 2
12
> 12
∴ 4
> 3

−7 4
Ex. (2) Compare the rational numbers 9
and 5.

Solution: A negative number is always less than a positive number.

7 4
Therefore, − 9 < 5.

To compare two negative numbers,

let us verify that if 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive numbers such that 𝑎 < 𝑏, then − 𝑎 > −𝑏.
2 < 3 but −2 > −3
Verify the comparisons using a number line.
5 7 −5 −7
4
< but
4 4
> 4

−7 −5
Ex. (3) Compare the numbers 3
and 2
.

7 5
Solution: Let us first compare 3
and 2.
7 7×2 14 5 5×3 15 14 15
3
= 3×2
= 6
, 2
= 2×3 = 6
and 6
< 6
 7 5 −7 −5
∴3 < 2
∴ 3
> 2

3 6
Ex. (4) 5
and 10
are rational numbers. Compare them.

3 3×2 6 3 6
Solution: 5
= 5 × 2 = 10 ∴ 5
= 10

The following rules are useful to compare two rational numbers.

𝑎 𝑐
If 𝑏
and 𝑑
are rational numbers such that 𝑏 and 𝑑 are positive, and

𝑎 𝑐
1) If 𝑎 x 𝑑 < 𝑏 x 𝑐 Then 𝑏
<𝑑

𝑎 𝑐
2) If 𝑎 x 𝑑 = 𝑏 x 𝑐 Then 𝑏
=𝑑

𝑎 𝑐
3) If 𝑎 x 𝑑 > 𝑏 x 𝑐 Then 𝑏
>𝑑

Practice Set 1.2

1. Compare the following numbers.

1) − 𝟕, − 𝟐

Solution :
If 𝑎 and 𝑏 are positive numbers

𝑎 > 𝑏, then – 𝑎 < – 𝑏.

Here, 7 > 2 ∴ −7 < −2
Ans. −7 < −2.

−𝟗
2) 𝟎, 𝟓

Solution:

−9
On a number line, 5
is to the left of zero.

9 −9
∴ − < 0 i.e. 0 >
5 5

−9
Ans. 0 > 5
.
 𝟖
(3) 𝟕, 𝟎

Solution :
8
On the number line, 7
is to the right of zero.
8
∴ 7
> 0
8
Ans. 7
> 0.

−𝟓 𝟏
(4) ,
𝟒 𝟒

Solution :

A negative number is always smaller than a positive number.

−5 1
∴ <
4 4

−5 1
Ans. < .
4 4

𝟒𝟎 𝟏𝟒𝟏
(5) ,
𝟐𝟗 𝟐𝟗

Solution :

The denominator of the given rational number is the same.

∴ let us compare their numerators.

40 141
40 < 141. ∴ 29
< 29

40 141
Ans. 29
< 29
.

−𝟏𝟕 −𝟏𝟑
(6) ,
𝟐𝟎 𝟐𝟎

Solution : Let us compare the numerators of the given rational numbers. (Because,
the denominators are the same.)

−17 < −13

−17 −13
∴ 20
< 20

−17 −13
Ans. 20
< 20
.
 𝟏𝟓 𝟕
(7) ,
𝟏𝟐 𝟏𝟔

15 15 × 16 240
Solution : 12
= 12 × 16
= 192
;

7 7 × 12 84
16
= 16 × 12
= 192
.

240 84 15 7
Now, 192
> 192
∴ 12
> 16

15 7
Ans. 12
> 16
.

𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 :
15 5×3 5
= = .
12 4×3 4
5 5×4 20
4
= 4 × 4 = 16.
20 7 15 7
> i.e. >
16 16 12 16

𝟏𝟓 𝟕
Ans : 𝟏𝟐 > 𝟏𝟔

−𝟐𝟓 −𝟗
(8) 𝟖
, 𝟒

Solution :

−25 −9 −9 × 2 −18
; = = .
8 4 4×2 8

Now, −25 < −18

−25 −18 −25 −9
∴ 8
< 8
i.e. 8
< 4

−25 −9
Ans. 8
< 4
.

𝟏𝟐 𝟑
(9) ,
𝟏𝟓 𝟓

Solution :
3 3×3 9
5
= 5 ×3
= 15
.

12 9 12 3
15
> 15
i.e. 15
> 5

12 3
Ans. 15
> 5.
 𝑨𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 :

12 4×3 4
15
= 5×3
= 5.

4 3 12 3
5
> 5
i.e. 15
> 5.

−𝟕 −𝟑
(10) ,
𝟏𝟏 𝟒

Solution :

−7 −7 × 4 −28
11
= 11 × 4
= 44
;
−3 −3 × 11 −33
4
= 4 × 11
= 44

Now, −28 > −33

−28 −33 −7 −3
∴ 44
> 44
i.e. 11
> 4

−7 −3
Ans. 11
> 4
.

Decimal representation of rational numbers –

If we use decimal fractions while dividing the numerator of a rational number by its
7
denominator, we get the decimal representation of a rational number. For example, 4
= 1.75. In this case, after dividing 7 by 4, the remainder is zero. Hence the process of
division ends.

Such a decimal form of a rational number is called a terminating decimal form.

We know that every rational number can be written in a non-terminating recurring
decimal form.

For example,
7
1) 6
= 1.1666 … . = 1.16
5
2) 6
= 0.8333 … . = 0.83
−5
3) 3
= − 1.666 … . = −1.6
 22
4) 7
= 3.142857142857 … . = 3.142857
23
5) = 0.2323 … … = 0.23
99

Similarly, a terminating decimal form can be written as a non-terminating recurring

decimal form. For example,
7
4
= 1.75 = 1.75000 … = 1.750

Practice Set 1.3

1. Write the following rational numbers in decimal form.

𝟗
(1)
𝟑𝟕

Solution :

0.2432
37) 9.0000
- 7 4
1 6 0
- 1 4 8
1 20
- 1 11
90 Now there will be repetition.
- 74
16
9
37
= 0.243243 … = 0.243.

9
Ans. The decimal form of 37
is 0. 243.
 𝟏𝟖
(2) 𝟒𝟐

Solution :

18 3×6 3
= =
42 7×6 7

0.4285714
7) 3.0000000
- 2 8
20
- 14
60
- 56
40
- 35
50
- 49
10
- 7
30
- 28
2
18 3
Ans. 42
= 7
= 0.428571 … = 0.428571.
 𝟗
(3) 𝟏𝟒

Solution :

0.64285714
14) 9.00000000
- 8 4
60
- 56
40
- 28
120
- 112
80
- 70
100
- 98
20
- 14
60
- 14
60
- 56
4
9
14
= 0.64285714 …
9
Ans. 14
= 0.6428571
 −𝟏𝟎𝟑
(4) 𝟓

103
Solution : First we find 5

20.6
57) 103.0
- 10
3
- 3
3 0
- 3 0
0 0
103
5
= 20.6
103
∴ − 5
= −20.6
103
Ans. − 5 = −20.6.
 𝟏𝟏
(5) − 𝟏𝟑

Solution :

0.8461538
13) 11.0000000
- 10 4
60
- 52
80
- 78
20
- 13
70
- 65
50
- 39
110
- 104
6

11
Ans. − 13 = 0.846153.

Irrational numbers –

In addition to rational numbers, there are many more numbers on a number line. They
are not rational numbers, that is, they are irrational numbers. √2 is such an irrational
number.

By Pythagoras theorem,
OP2 = OA2 + AP2
= 12 + 12 = 1 + 1 = 2
OP2 = 2
∴ OP = √2 …. (taking square roots on both sides)
• Now, draw an arc with centre O and radius OP. Name the point as Q where the
arc intersects the number line. Obviously distance OQ is √2.

That is, the number shown by the point Q is √2.

If we mark point R on the number line to the left of O, at the same distance as OQ,
then it will indicate the number - √2.

Note that -

In the previous standard we have learnnt that 𝜋 is not a rational number. It means it
22
is irrational. For calculation purpose we take its values 7
or 3.14 which are very close
22
to 𝜋; but 7
and 3.14 are rational numbers.

The numbers which can be shown by points of a number line are called real numbers.
We have seen that all rational numbers can be shown by points of a number line,
therefore, all rational numbers are real numbrs. There are infinitely many irrational
numbers on the number line.

√2 is an irrational number. Note that the numbers like 3√2, 7 + √2, 3 - √2 etc. are
3√2
also irrational numbers; because if 3√2 is rational then should also be a rational
3
number, which is not true.

We learnt to show rational numbers on a number line. We have shown the irrational
number √2 on a number line. Similarly we can show irrational numbers like √3, √5 . .
. on a number line.

Practice Set 1.4

1. The number √𝟐 is shown on a number line. Steps are given to show √𝟑 on

the number line using √𝟐. Fill in the boxes properly and complete the activity.

Activity :

(i) The point Q on the number line shows the number √2 .

(ii) A line (𝑙) perpendicular to the number line is drawn through the point Q.
Point R is at the unit distance from Q on the line 𝑙.
(iii) By drawing seg OR, a right angled ΔORQ is obtained.

(iv) 𝑙(OQ) = √2, 𝑙(QR) = 1

By Pythagoras’ theorem,
[𝑙(OR)]2 = [𝑙(OQ)]2 + [𝑙(QR)]2
= √2
2
+ 1
2

= 2 + 1 = 3

∴ l(OR) = √3

Draw an arc with centre O and radius OR.

Let it intersect the number line at the point C.
The point C shows the number √3.

2. Show the number √𝟓 on the number line.

Ans. Draw a number line 𝑙.

Take OP = 2 units.
Draw a line 𝑚⊥ line 𝑙
through the point P.

Take a point Q on line

𝑚 such that PQ = 1
unit.
In right angled ∆OPQ, by Pythagoras’ theorem,
[𝑙(OQ)]2 = [𝑙(OP)]2 + [𝑙(PQ)]2
= (2)2 + (1)2 = 4 + 1 + 5.
∴ 𝑙(OQ) = √5.

With centre O and OQ as radius, draw an arc intersecting line 𝑙 in the point R.
OR = √5 on the number line 𝑙.
The point R represents the number √5.

3. Show the number √𝟕 on the number line.

Ans. Draw a number line 𝑙.
Show the number √5 on this number line. Let the point R represent the number √5.

Draw seg RS ⊥ line 𝑙. Take RS = 1 unit. With centre O and radius OS draw an are
intersecting line 𝑙 at the point T. Point T will represent the number √6. Draw seg TU
⊥ line 𝑙. Take TU = 1 unit. With centre O and radius OU draw an are intersecting line
𝑙 at the point V. This point V will represent the number √7.