What Is a Rational Number? - mrscote

Example 3
Ordering Rational Numbers in Fraction and Decimal Form
Order these rational numbers from least to greatest.
10
3 2
1.13, , 3.4, 2. 7, , 2
3
7 5
Record the numbers on a number line.
A Solution
10
3 2
1.13, , 3.4, 2. 7, , 2
3
7 5
Write the fractions and mixed number as decimals.
10
3. 3
3
3
0.428 571
7
2
2 2.4
5
Mark each decimal on a number line.
–3.4 –2.4
0.428 571 1.13
2.7
–4
–3
–3.3
–2
–1
0
1
2
3
For least to greatest, read the decimals from left to right.
The order is:
10 2 3
3.4, , 2 , , 1.13, 2.7
3 5 7
Discuss
the
ideas
1. How can you use what you know about fractions and integers
to explain what a rational number is?
2. How are positive fractions and their opposites related on a
number line?
m
3. In the definition of a rational number as n , where m and n are
integers, why is it important that n 0?
4. Describe the numbers that are rational, but are not positive fractions
or integers.
100 UNIT 3: Rational Numbers