Class Notes

Rational Numbers

Grade 08
 Topics to be Covered

1. Introduction

1.1 Family of Rational Numbers

2. Properties of
Rational Numbers
2.1. Closure
2.2. Commutativity
2.3. Associativity
2.4. Additive Identity
2.5. Multiplicative Identity
2.6. Additive Inverse
2.7. Multiplicative Inverse
2.8. Distributivity
 1. Introduction

Rational numbers are the numbers that can be

𝑝
represented in the form of 𝑞, where 𝑝, 𝑞 are
integers, and 𝑞 ≠ 0.

𝟏
𝟒

• Rational numbers can be either positive, negative

or zero.
• While specifying a negative rational number, the
negative sign is either in front or with the
numerator of the number, which is the standard
mathematical notation. For example, we denote
5 −5 5
the negative of as or − .
2 2 2
 1. Introduction

1.1. Family of Rational Numbers

Rational Numbers (𝑄)

Integers (𝑍)

Whole
Numbers (𝑊)

Natural
Numbers (𝑁)

• Rational numbers contains all the natural numbers,

whole numbers and integers. For example: -5, -4, 0,
1, 2, 5, etc.
• Rational numbers also contains all other numbers
𝑝
which are in the form of , where 𝑝, 𝑞 are integers,
𝑞

2 5
and q ≠ 0. For example − , etc.
3 7
 2. Properties of Rational Numbers

2.1. Closure

When a set of numbers are closed under any

arithmetic operation such as addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and division, the
answer will belong to the set itself.

Addition

3 (−5) 21+(−40) 19
+ = = (rational number)
8 7 56 56
So, rational numbers are closed under addition.

Subtraction

−5 2 −5 × 3 −2×7 29
− = = − (rational number)
7 3 21 21

So, rational numbers are closed under subtraction.

Multiplication

−2 4 −8
× = (rational number)
3 5 15

So, rational numbers are closed under multiplication.

Division

−5
÷ 0, which is not defined.
3

So, rational numbers are not closed under division.

 2. Properties of Rational Numbers

2.2. Commutativity

It is being a property of a mathematical

operation on numbers in which the result does
not depend on the order of the numbers.
Addition
−2 5 1 5 −2 1
+ = and + =
3 7 21 7 3 21

As both result are same, rational numbers are

commutative under addition.

Subtraction
−5 4 9 4 5 1
− = − and − =−
3 3 3 3 3 3

9 1
As − ≠ − , rational numbers are not commutative
3 3

under subtraction.

Multiplication
−2 4 −8 4 −2 −8
× = and × =
3 5 15 5 3 15

As both result are same, rational numbers are

commutative under multiplication.

Division
−5 3 −35 3 −5 −12
÷ = and ÷ ( ) =
4 7 12 7 3 35

35 12
As − ≠− , rational numbers are not
12 35

commutative under division.

 2. Properties of Rational Numbers

2.3. Associativity

It is a property of operations on numbers, which

means that rearranging the parentheses in an
expression will not change the result.
Addition
−2 3 −5 −2 −7 −9
+ + = + = and
3 5 6 3 30 10

−2 3 −5 −1 −5 −9
+ + = + = . As results are same,
3 5 6 15 6 10

rational numbers are associative under addition.

Subtraction
−2 −4 −1 −2 −3 −11
− − = − = and
3 5 2 3 10 30

−2 −4 −1 2 −1 19 −11 19
− − = − = . As ≠ , rational
3 5 2 15 2 30 30 30

numbers are not associative under subtraction.

Multiplication
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
× × = × = and × × = × =
2 3 4 2 12 24 2 3 4 6 4 24

As results are same, rational numbers are

associative under multiplication.
Division

and
1 −1 2 −3 2 −15
÷ ÷ = ÷ =
2 3 5 2 5 4

1 −1 2 1 −5 −6 −15 −6
÷ ÷ = ÷ = . As ≠ , rational
2 3 5 2 6 10 4 10

numbers are not associative under subtraction.

 2. Properties of Rational Numbers

2.4. Additive Identity

Additive identity is the value when added to a

number, results in the original number. Zero is
the additive identity for rational numbers.
Example:
−7 −7
+0=
8 8

2.5. Multiplicative Identity

Multiplicative identity is the value when

multiplied to a number, results in the original
number. One is the multiplicative identity for
rational numbers.
Example:
−7 −7
×1=
8 8

2.6. Additive Inverse

Additive inverse is a number which on getting

added to the original number results in zero.
Negative of rational number is the additive
inverse of that number.
5 5
Example: − + = 0.
7 7

5 5
So, additive inverse of − 7 is 7.
 2. Properties of Rational Numbers

2.7. Multiplicative Inverse

Multiplicative inverse of a number is a value

which when multiplied by the original number
results in 1.
8 21
Example: 21 × =1
8

8 21
So, multiplicative inverse of 21 is 8
.
21 8
Also, is the reciprocal of 21.
8

2.8. Distributivity

The distributive property states, if a, b and c are

three rational numbers, then;
a × (b + c) = (a × b) + (a × c)
The same holds true when we are subtracting
instead of adding.
2 1 3 2 5 10
Example: 3 + = 3 × 4 = 12 and
2 4

2 1 2 3 2 6 10
× 2 + 3 × 4 = 6 + 12 = 12.
3

2 1 3 2 1 2 3
So, 3 + = 3 × 2 + 3 × 4.
2 4
 Mind Map

Family of Rational
Numbers

Introduction

Rational Numbers

Properties of Rational Additive

Closure
Numbers Identity

Multiplicative
Commutativity
Identity

Additive
Associativity
Inverse

Multiplicative
Distributivity
Inverse