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in
Y

1 3 C B

2.5

cm
2

9.3
1
2

2
cm
9.3
cm
- 2 2 3 1.5
18

–4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3
0.5 4
A
cm O
-0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 X
-0.5 3

REAL NUMBERS
“When I consider what people generally want in
calculating, I found that it always is a number”
- Al-Khwarizmi

Al-Khwarizmi, a Persian scholar, is

credited with identification of surds as
something noticeable in mathematics.
He referred to the irrational numbers
as ‘inaudible’, which was later translated to the
Latin word ‘surdus’ (meaning ‘deaf ’ or ‘mute’). In
Al-Khwarizmi mathematics, a surd came to mean a root (radical) that
(A D (CE) 780 - 850)
cannot be expressed (spoken) as a rational number.

Learning Outcomes

ÂÂ To know that there exists infinitely many rational numbers between two given
rational numbers.
ÂÂ To represent rational and irrational numbers on number line and express them in
decimal form.
ÂÂ To visualize the real numbers on the number line.
ÂÂ To identify surds.
ÂÂ To carry out basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
using surds.
ÂÂ To rationalise denominators of surds.
ÂÂ To understand the scientific notation.

2.1 Introduction
Numbers, numbers, everywhere!
ÂÂ Do you have a phone at home? How many digits does its dial have?
ÂÂ What is the Pin code of your locality? How is it useful?
ÂÂ When you park a vehicle, do you get a ‘token’? What is its purpose?
ÂÂ Have you handled 24 ‘carat’ gold? How do you decide its purity?
ÂÂ How high is the ‘power’ of your spectacles?
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How much water does the overhead tank in

� 
your house can hold?
Does your friend have fever? What is his
� 
body temperature?

You have learnt about many types of numbers so far.

Now is the time to extend the ideas further.

2.2 Rational Numbers

When you want to count the number of
books in your cupboard, you start with
1, 2, 3, … and so on. These counting numbers 1,
2, 3, … , are called Natural numbers. You know to
show these numbers on a line (see Fig. 2.1).
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fig. 2.1
We use N to denote the set of all Natural numbers.
N = { 1, 2, 3, … }
If the cupboard is empty (since no books are there). To denote such a situation we use the
symbol 0. Including zero as a digit you can now consider the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, … and call
them Whole numbers. With this additional entity, the number line will look as shown below
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Fig. 2.2
We use W to denote the set of all Whole numbers.
W = { 0, 1, 2, 3, … }

Certain conventions lead to more varieties of numbers. Let us agree that certain
conventions may be thought of as “positive” denoted by a ‘+’ sign. A thing that is ‘up’ or
‘forward’ or ‘more’ or ‘increasing’ is positive; and anything that is ‘down’ or ‘backward’ or
‘less’ or ‘decreasing’ is “negative” denoted by a ‘–’ sign.
You can treat natural numbers as positive numbers and rename them as positive
integers; thereby you have enabled the entry of negative integers –1, –2, –3, … .
Note that –2 is “more negative” than –1. Therefore, among –1 and –2, you find that –2 is
smaller and –1 is bigger. Are –2 and –1 smaller or greater than –3? Think about it.
The number line at this stage may be given as follows:

–4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4
Fig. 2.3

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We use Z to denote the set of all Integers.

Z = { …, –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3, … }.

When you look at the figures (Fig. 2.2 and 2.3) above, you are sure to get amused by the
gap between any pair of consecutive integers. Could there be some numbers in between?
You have come across fractions already. How will you mark the point that shows 12 on
1 1 1 3
Z ? It is just midway between 0 and 1. In the same way, you can plot , , , 2 ... etc.
3 4 5 4
These are all fractions of the form ba where a and b are integers with one restriction that
b ≠ 0. (Why?) If a fraction is in decimal form, even then the setting is same.
Because of the connection between fractions and ratios of lengths, we name them as
Rational numbers. Here is a rough picture of the situation:

–7 –6 –5 –4.3 –4 –3 –2 –1 –0.5 0 0.5 1 2 3 4 4.8 5 6 7

Fig. 2.4

A rational number is a fraction indicating the quotient of two integers, excluding division
by zero.

Since a fraction can have many equivalent fractions , there are many possible forms for
the same rational number. Thus 13 , 62 , 24
8
all these denote the same rational number.

2.2.1 Denseness Property of Rational Numbers

Consider a, b where a > b and their AM(Arithmetic Mean) given by a 2 b . Is this AM
+

a rational number? Let us see.

p
If a = q (p, q integers and q ! 0 ); b = rs (r, s integers and s ! 0 ), then
p r
a + b = q + s = ps + qr
2 2 2qs
which is a rational number.

We have to show that this rational number lies between a and b.

a + b = 2a - a - b = a - b
a-`
2 j 2 2
which is > 0 since a>b.

Therefore, a >` a 2 b j ... (1)

+

a+ b a + b - 2b = a - b
` 2 j- b= 2 2
which is > 0 since a>b.

Therefore, ` a 2 b j > b
+
... (2)

From (1) and (2) we see that a >` a 2 b j >b, which can be visualized as follows:
+

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a+ b
b 2 a

Fig. 2.5
Thus, for any two rational numbers, their average/mid point is rational. Proceeding
similarly, we can generate infinitely many rational numbers.

Example 2.1
Find any two rational numbers between 12 and 32 .
Solution 1
A rational number between 12 and 32 = 12 ` 12 + 32 j = 12 ` 3 6 4 j = 12 ` 76 j = 12
7
+

A rational number between 12 and 12

7
= 12 ` 12 + 12
7 = 1 6 + 7 = 1 13 = 13
j 2 ` 12 j 2 ` 12 j 24

Hence two rational numbers between 12 and 32 are 12 7

and 13
24
(of course, there are
many more!)
There is an interesting result that could help you to write instantly rational numbers
between any two given rational numbers.
Result
p p p+ r
If q and rs are any two rational numbers such that q < rs , then is a rational number,
q+ s
p p+ r
such that q < + < rs .
q s

Let us take the same example: Find any two rational numbers between 12 and 32
Solution 2
< gives 12 < 1 + 2 < 32 or 12 < 53 < 32 gives 12 < 1 + 3 < 53 < 3 + 2 < 32 or 12 < 74 < 53 < 58 1 32
1 2 + + +
2 3 2 3 2 5 5 3
Solution 3
Any more new methods to solve? Yes, if decimals are your favourites, then the above
example can be given an alternate solution as follows:
1
2
= 0.5 and 32 = 0.66...
Hence rational numbers between 12 and 32 can be listed as 0.51, 0.57,0.58,…

Solution 4
There is one more way to solve some problems. For example, to find four rational
numbers between 94 and 35 , note that the LCM of 9 and 5 is 45; so we can write 94 = 20
45
and
3 27
=
5 45
.
Therefore, four rational numbers between 94 and 35 are 21 ,
22 23 24
, ,
45 45 45 45
, ...

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Exercise 2.1

1. Which arrow best shows the position of 11

3
on the number line?
A B C D

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

2. Find any three rational numbers between 117 and 11

2 -
.

3. Find any five rational numbers between (i) 14 and 15 (ii) 0.1 and 0.11 (iii) –1 and –2

2.3 Irrational Numbers

You know that each rational number is assigned to a point on the
2
number line and learnt about the denseness property of the rational numbers. 1
Does it mean that the line is entirely filled with the rational numbers and
there are no more numbers on the number line? Let us explore.
Consider an isosceles right-angled triangle whose base and height 1
Fig.2.6
are each 1 unit long. Using Pythagoras theorem, the hypotenuse can
be seen having a length 12 + 12 = 2 (see Fig. 2.6 ). Greeks found that this 2 is neither
a whole number nor an ordinary fraction. The belief of relationship between points on the
number line and all numbers was shattered! 2 was called an irrational number.

An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as an ordinary ratio of two integers.

Examples GOLDEN RATIO (1:1.6)

1. Apart from 2 , one can The Golden Ratio has
been heralded as the a b
produce a number of examples
for such irrational numbers. most beautiful ratio in
art and architecture. a+b
Here are a few: 5 , 7 , 2 3 , f
a+b : a = a : b
2. π , the ratio of the circumference Take a line segment and
divide it into two smaller segments such that the
of a circle to the diameter of that
ratio of the whole line segment (a+b) to segment
same circle, is another example a is the same as the ratio of segment a to the
for an irrational number. segment b.
+
3. e, also known as Euler’s This gives the proportion a a b = ab
number, is another common
Notice that ‘a’ is the geometric mean of a+b and b.
irrational number.

4. The golden ratio, also known as golden mean, or golden section, is a number often
stumbled upon when taking the ratios of distances in simple geometric figures such
as the pentagon, the pentagram, decagon and dodecahedron, etc., it is an irrational
number.
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2.3.1 Irrational Numbers on the Number Line

Where are the points on the number line that correspond to the irrational numbers?
As an example, let us locate 2 on the number line. This is easy.

Remember that 2 is the length of the diagonal of the square whose side is 1 unit
(How?)Simply construct a square and transfer the length of one of its diagonals to our
number line. (see Fig.2.7).
1

1 2
- 2 2
–4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4

Fig.2.7

We draw a circle with centre at 0

on the number line,with a radius equal Squares on grid sheets can be used to
produce irrational lengths.
to that of diagonal of the square. This
circle cuts the number line in two points, Here are a few examples :
locating 2 on the right of 0 and – 2
on its left. (You wanted to locate 2 ;
5
you have also got a bonus in – 2 ) 10
5
10
You started with Natural numbers
and extended it to rational numbers
and then irrational numbers. You may
wonder if further extension on the
number line waits for us. Fortunately 8 or 2
it stops and you can learn about it in 2 2 2 2
8 2 2 2
higher classes. 2 2
18

2
Representation of a Rational
=
2

number as terminating and non

3

terminating decimal helps us to

understand irrational numbers. Let us see the decimal expansion of rational numbers.

2.3.2 Decimal Representation of a Rational Number

If you have a rational number written as a fraction, you get the decimal representation
by long division. Study the following examples where the remainder is always zero.

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Consider the examples,

0.875 0.84 2.71875
8 7.000 25 21.00 32 87.00000
64 200 64
60 100 230
56 100 224
40 0 60
40 32
0 280
256
7 = 21 =
0.875 0.84 240
8 25
224
160
160
0
- 87
32 = - 2.71875

Note
These show that the process could lead to a decimal with finite
number of decimal places. They are called terminating decimals.

Can the decimal representation of a rational number lead to forms of decimals that do not
terminate? The following examples (with non-zero remainder) throw some light on this point.

Example 2.2
Represent the following as The reciprocals of Natural Numbers are
decimal form (i) 114 11 Rational numbers. It is interesting to note
-
(ii)
75 their decimal forms. See the first ten.
Solution S.No. Reciprocal Decimal
Representation
0.3636…. 0.1466…
11 4.0000 75 11.0000 1 1 =
1
1.0 Terminating
33 75
70 350 2 1 =
0.5 Terminating
66 300 2
40 500 3 1 = Non-terminating
33 450 0.3
3 Recurring
70 500
4 1 = Terminating
66 450 4
0.25
4 50 5 1 =
h h 5
0.2 Terminating
Thus we see that, 114 = - 0.36 11
-
75
= 0.146 6 1 = Non-terminating
0.1 6
6 Recurring

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A rational number can be expressed by 7 Non-terminating

1 =
0.142857
(i) either a terminating 7 Recurring
(ii) or a non-terminating and recurring 8 1 =
0.125 Terminating
8
(repeating) decimal expansion.
9 1 = Non-terminating
The converse of this statement is also true. 9
0.1
Recurring
That is, if the decimal expansion of a number 10 1 =
10
0.1 Terminating
is terminating or non-terminating and recurring,
then the number is a rational number.

Note
In this case the decimal expansion does not terminate!
The remainders repeat again and again! We get non-terminating but recurring block of digits.

2.3.3 Period of Decimal

In the decimal expansion of the rational numbers, the number of repeating decimals is
called the length of the period of decimals.

For example,
25 =
(i) 7
3.571428 has the length of the period of decimal = 6
27 =
(ii) 110 0.2 45 has the length of the period of decimal = 2

Example 2.3 1
Express the rational number 27 in recurring decimal form by using

the recurring decimal expansion of 13 . Hence write 59

27
in recurring decimal form.

Solution
We know that 13 = 0.3
1 = 1 #1 = 1 #
Therefore, 27 9 3 9
0.333... = 0.037037... = 0.037
59 = 5 = + 5
Also, 27
2
27
2
27
= 2 + `5 # 1 j
27
= 2 + (5 # 0. 037) = 2 + (5 # 0.037037037...) = 2 + 0.185185... = 2.185185... = 2. 185

2.3.4 Conversion of Terminating Decimals into Rational Numbers

Let us now try to convert a terminating decimal, say 2.945 as rational number in the
fraction form.
2.945 = 2 + 0.945
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9 + 4 + 5
2.945 = 2 + 10 100 1000
900 + 40 + 5
= 2 + 1000 1000 1000
(making denominators common)
945
= 2 + 1000
2945 589
= 1000 or
200
which is required
2945
(In the above, is it possible to write directly 2.945 = 1000 ?)

Example 2.4 p
Convert the following decimal numbers in the form of q , where p
and q are integers and q ! 0 : (i) 0.35 (ii) 2.176 (iii) – 0.0028

Solution
35 7
(i) 0.35 = 100 = 20
2176 272
(ii) 2.176 = 1000 = 125
28
- 7 -
(iii) –0.0028 = 10000 = 2500

2.3.5 Conversion of Non-terminating and recurring decimals into Rational Numbers

It was very easy to handle a terminating decimal. When we come across a decimal
such as 2.4, we get rid of the decimal point, by just divide it by 10.
24
Thus 2.4 = 10 , which is simplified as 12
5
. But, when we have a decimal such as 2.4 ,
the problem is that we have infinite number of 4s and hence will need infinite number of 0s
in the denominator. For example,
4
2.4 = 2 + 10
4 + 4
2.44 = 2 + 10 100
4 + 4 + 4
2.444 = 2 + 10 100 1000
How tough it is to have infinite 4’s and work with them. We need to get rid of the
infinite sequence in some way. The good thing about the infinite sequence is that even if we
pull away one , two or more 4 out of it, the sequence still remains infinite.
Let x = 2. 4 ...(1)
Then, 10x = 24. 4 ...(2) [When you multiply by 10, the decimal moves one
place to the right but you still have infinite 4s left over).
Subtract the first equation from the second to get,
9x = 24. 4 – 2. 4 = 22 (Infinite 4s subtract out the infinite 4s and the left out is
24 – 2 = 22)
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x = 22
9
, the required value.

We use the same exact logic to convert any number with a non terminating repeating
part into a fraction.

Example 2.5
Convert the following decimal numbers in the form of
p
^ p, q ! Z and q ! 0h .
q
(i) 0.3 (ii) 2.124 (iii) 0.45 (iv) 0.568

Solution
(i) Let x = 0.3 = 0.3333… (1)
(Here period of decimal is 1, multiply equation (1) by 10)
10 x = 3.3333... (2)
(2) – (1): 9 x = 3 or x = 13

(ii) Let x = 2.124 = 2.124124124… (1)

(Here period of decimal is 3, multiply equation (1) by 1000.)
1000 x = 2124.124124124… (2)
(2)–(1): 999 x = 2122 x = 2122
999

(iii) Let x = 0.4 5 = 0.45555… (1)

(Here the repeating decimal digit is 5, which is the second digit after the decimal
point, multiply equation (1) by 10)
10 x = 4.5555… (2)
(Now period of decimal is 1, multiply equation (2) by 10)
100 x = 45.5555… (3)
41
(3) – (2): 90 x = 41 or x = 90

(iv) Let x = 0.568 = 0.5686868… (1)

(Here the repeating decimal digit is 68, which is the second digit after the decimal
point, so multiply equation (1) by 10)
10 x = 5.686868… (2)
(Now period of decimal is 2, multiply equation (2) by 100)
1000 x = 568.686868… (3)

(3) – (2): 990 x = 563 or x = 563

990
.

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Note
To determine whether the decimal form of a rational number will terminate or non - terminate,
we can make use of the following rule

p p
If a rational number q , q ! 0 can be expressed in the form m # n , where p ! Z and
2 5
m, n ! W , then rational number will have a terminating decimal expansion. Otherwise,
the rational number will have a non- terminating and recurring decimal expansion

Example 2.6
Without actual division, classify the decimal expansion of the
following numbers as terminating or non – terminating and recurring.
(i) 13 71 43 31
-
64
(ii) 125 (iii) 375 (iv) 400

Solution
(a) 13
64
= 136 , So 13
64
has a terminating decimal expansion.
2
- 71 - 71 - 71
(b) 125
= , So 125
has a terminating decimal expansion.
5 3

(c) 43
375
= 1 43 3 , So 375
43
has a non – terminating recurring decimal expansion.
3 #5
(d) 31
400
= 4 31 2 , So 400
31
has a terminating decimal expansion.
2 5 #

Example 2.7 1 = 0.9999…

  Verify that 1 = 0.9 7 = 6.9999…
Solution 3.7 = 3.6999…
Let x = 0.9 = 0.99999… (1)
The pattern suggests that
(Multiply equation (1) by 10)
any terminating decimal
10 x = 9.99999… (2) can be represented as a non-
Subtract (1) from (2) terminating and recurring
decimal expansion with an
9x = 9 or x =1
endless block of 9’s.
Thus, 0.9 = 1

Exercise 2.2

1. Express the following rational numbers into decimal and state the kind of decimal expansion
2 3 22 327
(i) (ii) - 5 (iii) (iv)
7 11 3 200
1
2. Express 13 in decimal form. Find the length of the period of decimals.

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1
3. Express the rational number 33 in recurring decimal form by using the recurring
decimal expansion of 11 . Hence write 71
1
33
in recurring decimal form.
4. Express the following decimal expression into rational numbers.
(i) 0.24 (ii) 2.327 (iii) –5.132
(iv) 3.17 (v) 17.2 15 (vi) - 21.2137
5. Without actual division, find which of the following rational numbers have terminating
decimal expansion.
7 21 9 219
(i) (ii) (iii) 4 (iv)
128 15 35 2200
2.3.6 Decimal Representation to Identify Irrational Numbers
It can be shown that irrational numbers, when expressed as decimal numbers, do not
terminate, nor do they repeat. For example, the decimal representation of the number π
starts with 3.14159265358979..., but no finite number of digits can represent π exactly, nor
does it repeat.
Consider the following decimal expansions:
(i) 0.1011001110001111… (ii) 3.012012120121212…
(iii) 12.230223300222333000… (in) 2 = 1.4142135624…
Are the above numbers terminating (or) recurring and non- terminating? No… They
are neither terminating, nor non–terminating and recurring. Hence they are not rational
p
numbers. They cannot be written in the form of q ,where p, q , ! Z and q ! 0 . They are
irrational numbers.
A number having non- terminating and non- recurring decimal expansion is an irrational number.

Example 2.8
Find the decimal expansion of 3 .
Solution

1.7320508… We often write 2 = 1.414,
1 3.00,00,00,00,00,… 3 = 1.732, π = 3.14 etc. These
1 are only approximate values and
27 200 not exact values. In the case of
189 the irrational number π, we take
343 1100
1029 frequently 22 7
(which gives the
3462 7100 value 3.142857) to be its correct
6924 value but in reality these are
346405 1760000
only approximations. This is
1732025
because, the decimal expansion
34641008 279750000
277128064 of an irrational number is non-
2621936 terminating and non-recurring.
None of them gives an exact value!

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Thus, by division method, 3 = 1.7320508…

It is found that the square root of every positive non perfect square number is an
irrational number. 2 , 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 , … are all irrational numbers.

Example 2.9
Classify the numbers as rational or irrational:
2
(i) 10 (ii) 49 (iii) 0.025 (iv) 0.76 (v) 2.505500555... (vi) 2

Solution
(i) 10 is an irrational number ( since 10 is not a perfect square number).
7
(ii) 49 = 7 =
1
, a rational number(since 49 is a perfect square number).

(iii) 0.025 is a rational number (since it is a terminating decimal).

(iv) 0.7 6 = 0.7666…. is a rational number ( since it is a non – terminating and
recurring decimal expansion).
(v) 2.505500555…. is an irrational number ( since it is a non – terminating and
non–recurring decimal).
2 2 1
(vi) 2
= = is an irrational number ( since 2 is not a perfect square
2# 2 2
number).

Note
p
The above example(vi) it is not to be misunderstood as form, because both p and q must
q
be integers and not an irrational number.

Example 2.10
Find any 3 irrational numbers between 0.12 and 0.13 .

Solution
Three irrational numbers between 0.12 and 0.13 are
0.12010010001…, 0.12040040004…, 0.12070070007…

Note
We state (without proof) an important result worth remembering.
If ‘a’ is a rational number and b is an irrational number then each one of the
following is an irrational number:
b
(i) a + b ; (ii) a – b ; (iii) a b ; (iv) a ; (v) a .
b
For example, when you consider the rational number 4 and the irrational number 5 ,
5
then 4 + 5 , 4 – 5 , 4 5 , 4 , 4 ... are all irrational numbers.
5
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Example 2.11
Give any two rational numbers lying between 0.5151151115…. and
0.5353353335…
Solution Two rational numbers between the given two irrational numbers are 0.5152 and 0.5352

Example 2.12 Find whether x and y are rational or irrational in the following.
(i) a = 2 + 3 , b = 2 - 3 ; x = a + b, y = a - b
(ii) a = 2 + 7, b =
2 - 7 ; x = a + b, y = a - b
(iii) a = 75 , b = 3 ; x = ab, y = ba Note
  From these
(iv) a = 18 , b = 3 ; x = ab, y = ba examples, it is clear that the sum ,
difference, product, quotient of any two
Solution
irrational numbers could be rational or
(i) Given that a = 2 + 3 , b = 2 - 3 irrational.
x = a + b = (2 + 3 ) +(2 – 3 ) = 4 ,
a rational number.
y = a – b = (2 + 3 ) – (2– 3 ) = 2 3 , an irrational number.

(ii) Given that a = 2 +7 , b = 2 –7

x = a + b = ( 2 +7 ) +( 2 –7) = 2 2 , an irrational number.
y = a – b = ( 2 +7 )–( 2 –7) = 14 , a rational number.

(iii) Given that a = 75 , b = 3

x = ab = 75 # 3 = 75 # 3 = 5 # 5 # 3 # 3 = 5 # 3 = 15 , a rational number.
75
y = ba = = 75 =
3
25 = 5 , rational number.
3
(iv) Given that a = 18 , b= 3

x = ab = 18 # 3 = 18 # 3 = 6 # 3 # 3 = 3 6 , an irrational number.
18
y = ba = = 18 =
3
6 , an irrational number.
3

Example 2.13
Represent 9.3 on a number line.
Solution
ÂÂ Draw a line and mark a point A on it.
ÂÂMark a point B such that AB = 9.3 cm.
ÂÂMark a point C on this line such that BC = 1 cm.
ÂÂFind the midpoint of AC by drawing perpendicular bisector of AC and let it be O
ÂÂ With O as center and OC = OA as radius, draw a semicircle.
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ÂÂDraw a line BD, which is perpendicular to AB at B.

ÂÂNow BD = 9.3 , which can be marked in the number line as the value of
BE = BD = 9.3

9.3 cm
cm 0 cm
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

cm 9.3 cm
Fig.2.8

Exercise 2.3

1. Represent the following irrational numbers on the number line.

(i) 3 (ii) 4.7 (iii) 6.5
2. Find any two irrational numbers between
6 12
(i) 0.3010011000111…. and 0.3020020002…. and (ii)
(iii) 2 and 3
7 13
3. Find any two rational numbers between 2.2360679….. and 2.236505500….

2.4 Real Numbers

The real numbers consist of all the rational numbers and all the irrational numbers.
Real numbers can be thought of as points on an infinitely long number line called the
real line, where the points corresponding to integers are equally spaced.

Real Numbers

Rational Irrational
Numbers Numbers

Non-terminating Non-terminating
Terminating
and Recurring and non-recurring

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Any real number can be determined by a possibly infinite decimal representation, (as we
have already seen decimal representation of the rational numbers and the irrational numbers).

2.4.1 The Real Number Line

Visualisation through Successive Magnification.
We can visualise the representation of numbers on the number line, as if we glimpse
through a magnifying glass.

Example 2.14
Represent 4.863 on the number line.
Solution
4.863 lies between 4 and 5(see Fig. 2.9)
(i) Divide the distance between 4 and 5 into 10 equal intervals.
(ii) Mark the point 4.8 which is second from the left of 5 and eighth from the right of 4
(iii) 4.86 lies between 4.8 and 4.9. Divide the distance into 10 equal intervals.
(iv) Mark the point 4.86 which is fourth from the left of 4.9 and sixth from the right of 4.8
(v) 4.863 lies between 4.86 and 4.87. Divide the distance into 10 equal intervals.
(vi) Mark point 4.863 which is seventh from the left of 4.87 and third from the right of
4.86.

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 5.0

4.80 4.81 4.82 4.83 4.84 4.85 4.86 4.87 4.88 4.89 4.90

4.860 4.861 4.862 4.863 4.864 4.865 4.866 4.867 4.868 4.869 4.870

Fig. 2.9
Example 2.15
Represent 3.45 on the number line upto 4 decimal places.

Solution
3.45 = 3.45454545…..

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= 3.4545 ( correct to 4 decimal places).

The number lies between 3 and 4

-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 4.0

3.40 3.41 3.42 3.43 3.44 3.45 3.46 3.47 3.48 3.49 3.50

3.450 3.451 3.452 3.453 3.454 3.455 3.456 3.457 3.458 3.459 3.460

3.4540 3.4541 3.4542 3.4543 3.4544 3.4545 3.4546 3.4547 3.4548 3.4549 3.4550

Fig. 2.10

Exercise 2.4

1. Represent the following numbers on the number line.

(i) 5.348 (ii) 6.4 upto 3 decimal places. (iii) 4.73 upto 4 decimal places.

2.5 Radical Notation

Note
Let n be a positive integer and r be a real number. If
rn = x, then r is called the nth root of x and we write It is worth spending some
n
x =r time on the concepts of the
The symbol n (read as nth root) is called a radical; ‘square root’ and the ‘cube
n is the index of the radical (hitherto we named it as root’, for better understanding
exponent); and x is called the radicand. of surds.

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2
What happens when n = 2? Then we get r 2 = x, so that r is x , our good old friend,
the square root of x. Thus 2 16 is written as 16 , and when n =3, we get the cube root of x,
namely 3 x . For example, 3
8 is cube root of 8, giving 2. (Is not 8 = 23?)
How many square roots are there for 4? Since (+2)×(+2)
= 4 and also (–2)×(–2) = 4, we can say that both +2 and –2 are Thinking Corner
square roots of 4. But it is incorrect to write that 4 = ± 2 .
Which one of the
This is because, when n is even, it is an accepted convention to
following is false?
n
reserve the symbol x for the positive n root and to denote
th
(1) The square root of
the negative nth root by – n x . Therefore we need to write 9 is 3 or –3.
4 = 2 and − 4 =− 2.
(2) 9 = 3
When n is odd, for any value of x, there is exactly one real
(3) − 9 = − 3
nth root. For example, 3 8 = 2 and 5 −32 =− 2.
(4) 9 = ±3
2.5.1 Fractional Index
n
Consider again results of the form r = x.
In the adjacent notation, the index of the radical (namely Root Index Radical Symbol
n which is 3 here) tells you how many times the answer (that 3
64 = 4
is 4) must be multiplied with itself to yield the radicand.
To express the powers and roots, there is one more way Radicand Number
of representation. It involves the use of fractional indices.
1
n
We write x as x .n

With this notation, for example

1 1
3
64 is 64 and 25 is 25 .
3 2

Observe in the following table just some representative patterns arising out of this new acquaintance:
Power Radical Notation Index Notation Read as
1
26 = 64 2 = 646
2 = 64 6 2 is the 6th root of 64
1
25 = 32 2 = 5 32 2 = 32 5 2 is the 5th root of 32
1
24 = 16 2 = 164
2 = 16 4 2 is the 4th root of 16
1 2 is the cube root of 8
23 = 8 2= 8 3
2=8 3
meaning 2 is the 3rd root of 8

2 = 2 4 or simply 1 2 is the square root of 4

2 =4
2
2=4 2
meaning 2 is the 2nd root of 4
2= 4
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Example 2.16
Express the following in the form 2n :
1
(i) 8 (ii) 32 (iii) (iv) 2 (v) 8.
4
Solution
3
(i) 8 = 2 × 2 × 2 ; therefore 8 = 2
5 1 1 1 −2
(ii) 32 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 2 (iii) = = 2 =2
4 2×2 2
1/2
(iv) 2 = 2
 1 3 3
 2 
(v) 8 = 2 × 2 × 2 = 2  which may be written as 2 2
 
 
m
Meaning of x n , (where m and n are Positive Integers)
m
We interpret xn either as the nth root of the mth power of x or as the mth power of
the nth root of x.
m 1 1
symbols, x n
In= x )
m n
(= or ( )m
n x n
x m or (n x )m

-2
Example 2.17 5
Find the value of (i) 81 4
(ii) 64 3

Solution
5
 4 4 5
( 81)
5
5
(i) 81 = 4 4
=  3  = 3 = 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 × 3 = 243
 
−2
1 1 1 1
(ii) 64 3
= = = (How?) =
( )
2 2 2 16
3
3
64 4
64

Exercise 2.5

1. Write the following in the form of 5n:

1
(i) 625 (ii) (iii) 5 (iv) 125
5
2. Write the following in the form of 4n:
(i) 16 (ii) 8 (iii) 32
3. Find the value of −2
-3
1 2  64  3
(i) 49( ) 2 (ii) 243 ( ) 5 (iii) 9 2
(vi)  
125 
4. Use a fractional index to write:
 1 7
( 49 )
5
(i) 5 (ii) 2
7 (iii) 3
(iv)  
 3
100 
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5. Find the 5th root of

1024
(i) 32 (ii) 243 (iii) 100000 (iv)
3125
2.6 Surds
Having familiarized with the concept of Real numbers, representing them on the
number line and manipulating them, we now learn about surds, a distinctive way of
representing certain approximate values.
Can you simplify 4 and remove the symbol? Yes; one can replace 4 by the
1 1
number 2. How about ? It is easy; without symbol, the answer is . What about
9 3
0.01 ?. This is also easy and the solution is 0.1
1
In the cases of 4, and 0.01 , you can resolve to get a solution and make sure
9
that the symbol is not seen in your solution. Is this possible at all times?
Consider 18 . Can you evaluate it and also remove the radical symbol? Surds are
unresolved radicals, such as square root of 2, cube root of 5, etc.
They are irrational roots of equations with rational coefficients.

A surd is an irrational root of a rational number. n

a is a surd, provided n  , n  1 , ‘a’
is rational.

Examples : 2 is a surd. It is an irrational root of the equation x2 = 2. (Note that

x2 – 2 = 0 is an equation with rational coefficients. 2 is irrational and may be shown as
1.4142135… a non-recurring, non-terminating decimal).
1
3
3 (which is same as 3 ) is a surd since it is an irrational root of the equation
3

x3 – 3 = 0. ( 3 is irrational and may be shown as 1.7320508… a non-recurring,

non-terminating decimal).
You will learn solving (quadratic) equations like x2 – 6x + 7 = 0 in your next class. This
is an equation with rational coefficients and one of its roots is 3 + 2 , which is a surd.
1 1
Is a surd? No; it can be simplified and written as rational number . How about
25 5
16 2
4 ? It is not a surd because it can be simplified as .
81 3
The famous irrational number p is not a surd! Though it is irrational, it cannot be
expressed as a rational number under the symbol. (In other words, it is not a root of any
equation with rational co-efficients).
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Why surds are important? For calculation purposes we assume approximate value as
2 = 1.414 , 3 = 1.732 and so on.

( ) ( )
2 2 2 2
2 = (1.414) = 1.99936 ≠ 2 ; 3 = (1.732) = 3.999824 ≠ 3
Hence, we observe that 2 and 3 represent the more accurate and precise values than
their assumed values. Engineers and scientists need more accurate values while constructing
the bridges and for architectural works. Thus it becomes essential to learn surds.

Progress Check

1. Which is the odd one out? Justify your answer.

50 5
(i) 36 , , 1, 1.44 , 32 , 120
98
3 1
(ii) 7, 48, 36, 5 + 3, 1.21,
10
2. Are all surds irrational numbers? - Discuss with your answer.
3. Are all irrational numbers surds? Verify with some examples.

2.6.1 Order of a Surd

The order of a surd is the index of the root to be extracted. The order of the surd n a
5
is n. What is the order of 99 ? It is 5.
Surds can be classified in different ways:
(i) Surds of same order : Surds of same order are surds for which the index of the root to
be extracted is same. (They are also called equiradical surds).
3
2
For example, x, a , 2
m are all 2nd order (called quadratic) surds .
1
3
5, 3 (x - 2), (ab) are all 3rd order (called cubic) surds.
3

2
3,
3
10 ,
4
6 and 8 5
are surds of different order.

(ii)  Simplest form of a surd : A surd is said to be in simplest form, when it is expressed
as the product of a rational factor and an irrational factor. In this form the surd has
(a) the smallest possible index of the radical sign.
(b) no fraction under the radical sign.
(c) no factor is of the form an, where a is a positive integer under index n.

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Example 2.18
Can you reduce the following numbers to surds of same order :
4
(i) 3 (ii) 3 (iii) 3 3
Solution
1 1 1
4 3
(i) 3 = 3 2
(ii) 3 =3 4
(iii) 3 =3 3

6 3 4
= 3 = 3 = 3
12 12 12

12 6 12 3 12 4
= 3 = 3 = 3
12 12 12
= 729 = 27 = 81

The last row has surds of same order.

Example 2.19

1. Express the surds in the simplest form: i) 8 ii) 3 192

2. Show that 3
7 > 45.

Solution
1. (i) 8 = 4 ×2 = 2 2
3 3
(ii) 192 = 4×4×4×3 = 43 3

12 4
2. 3
7 = 7 = 12 2401
1 3
4 12 3
5 = 5 = 5 4 12
= 5 = 12 125

12 2401 > 12 125

Therefore, 3
7 > 45.

(iii) Pure and Mixed Surds : A surd is called a pure surd if its coefficient in its simplest form
3 4 5
is 1. For example, 3, 6, 7, 49 are pure surds. A surd is called a mixed surd if
its co-efficient in its simplest form is other than 1. For example, 5 3 , 2 4 5 , 3 4
6 are
mixed surds.
(iv) Simple and Compound Surds : A surd with a single term is said to be a simple surd.
For example, 3 , 2 5 are simple surds. The algebraic sum of two (or more) surds is
called a compound surd. For example, 5 + 3 2, 3 − 2 7 , 5 − 7 2 + 6 3 are
compound surds.
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(v) Binomial Surd : A binomial surd is an algebraic sum (or difference) of 2 terms both of
which could be surds or one could be a rational number and another a surd. For
1
example, − 19, 5 + 3 2, 3 − 2 7 are binomial surds.
2
Example 2.20 3 2 4
Arrange in ascending order: 2, 4, 3
Solution
3 2 4
The order of the surds 2, 4 and 3 are 3, 2, 4.

L.C.M. of 3, 2, 4 = 12.
 1   4   1   6 
 3   12  12 4 12  
4 = 4 2  = 4 12  = 4 = 12 4096
3 2 12 6
2 = 2  = 2  = 2 = 16 ;
       
       
 1   3 
 
3 = 3 4  = 312  = 3 = 12 27
4 12 3
   
   
The ascending order of the surds 3 2, 4 3, 2 4 is 12 16 < 12 27 < 12 4096
3
that is, 2, 4 3, 2 4 .

2.6.2 Laws of Radicals

For positive integers m, n and positive rational numbers a and b, it is worth remembering
the following properties of radicals:
S.No. Radical Notation Index Notation
1.
( ) (a )
n n
n n n 1 1
a =a = a
= a = (a )
n n n

2. n 1 1
a × n b = n ab 1
a ×b = (ab )
n n n

3. m n n m 1 1
a = mn a = a
(a )1 m
n
=a
1
mn
= a ( )
1 n
m

4. n 1 1
a a
=n a n a n
n
b b =  
1  b 
n
b
We shall now discuss certain problems which require the laws of radicals for simplifying.

Example 2.21
Express each of the following surds in its simplest form (i) 3 108
−2
(ii) 3
(1024) and find its order, radicand and coefficient.
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Solution
3
(i) 108 = 3 27 × 4 2 108
3 3 2 54

= 3 ×4
3 27
3 3
= 3 × 3 4 (Laws of radicals - ii)
3 9
3 3
= 3× 3 4
( Laws of radicals- i) 1
order = 3; radicand = 4; coefficient = 3

 2 1024 −2 
3


−2
(ii) (1024) =  3 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
3 3 3
( 2 512 ) 


2 256
  −2

3 3
=  3 2 ×2 ×2 ×2

3
(
 [Laws of radicals - (i)]

2 128 )
2 64
 3 3 3 3 3 3 3  −2
=  2 × 2 × 2 × 2  [Laws of radicals – (ii)] 2
32
  2 16
−2
= 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 2  [Laws of radicals – (i)]
2 8
  2 4
2 2
−2  1   1  2 2
= 8 × 3 2  =   ×  

      1
8  2 
3

1 1

= 3
64 4
1 1
order = 3 ; radicand = ; coefficient =
4 64
(These results can also be obtained using index notation).

Note

Consider the numbers 5 and 6. As 5 = 25 and 6 = 36

Therefore, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 are surds
between 5 and 6.
2 2
Consider 3 2 = 3 × 2 = 18 , 2 3 = 2 × 3 = 12
Therefore, 17, 15, 14, 13 are surds between 2 3 and 3 2 .

2.6.3 Four Basic Operations on Surds

(i) Addition and subtraction of surds : Like surds can be added and subtracted
using the following rules:

a n b ± c n b = (a ± c)n b , where b > 0.

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Example 2.22
(i) Add 3 7 and 5 7 . Check whether the sum is rational or
irrational. (ii) Subtract 4 5 from 7 5 . Is the answer rational or irrational?
Solution
(i) 3 7 + 5 7 = (3 + 5) 7 = 8 7 . The answer is irrational.
(ii) 7 5 - 4 5 = (7 − 4) 5 = 3 5 . The answer is irrational.

Example 2.23
Simplify the following:

(i) 63 − 175 + 28 (ii) 2 3 40 + 3 3 625 − 4 3 320

Solution
(i) 63 − 175 + 28 = 9 × 7 − 25 × 7 + 4 × 7

= 3 7 − 5 7 + 2 7

= 3 7 + 2 7 − 5 7 ( )
= 5 7 − 5 7
= 0

(ii) 2 3 40 + 3 3 625 − 4 3 320

= 2 3 8 × 5 + 3 3 125 × 5 − 4 3 64 × 5

3 3 3 3 3 3
= 2 2 ×5 + 3 5 ×5 − 4 4 ×5

= 2 × 2 3 5 +3 × 5 3 5 −4 × 4 3 5

= 4 3 5 + 15 3 5 − 16 3 5

= (4 + 15 − 16) 3 5 = 3 3
5

(ii) Multiplication and division of surds

Like surds can be multiplied or divided by using the following rules:
Multiplication property of surds Division property of surds
n n
(i) a × n b = n ab a a
(iii) =n
n
b b
n n n
(ii) a b ×c d = ac bd n
a b anb
where b, d > 0 (iv) = where b, d > 0
cn d c d

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Example 2.24
3 3
Multiply 40 and 16 .
Solution
3
40 × 3 16 = ( 3
2×2×2×5 ) × ( 2×2×2×2)
3

= (2 × 3
5 ) × (2 × 2 ) = 4 × ( 2 × 5 )
3 3 3
= 4 × 3 2 ×55
= 4 3 10

Example 2.25

Compute and give the answer in the simplest form: 2 72 ´ 5 32 ´ 3 50

Solution
Let us simplify:
2 72 × 5 32 × 3 50 = 2 × 6 2 × 5× 4 2 × 3× 5 2 ( ) ( ) ( ) 72 = 36×2 = 6 2
= 2×5×3×6×4×5× 2× 2× 2
32 = 16×2 = 4 2
= 3600×2 2
50 = 25×2 = 5 2
= 7200 2

Example 2.26
9 6
Divide 8 by 6.
Solution
1
9 9
8 8
= 1
(Note that 18 is the LCM of 6 and 9)
6
6 6
6
2
18
8
= 3
(How?)
18
6
1 1
 82 18  8×8   Activity - 1
 18
=  3  (How ?) =  
 6   6 × 6 × 6  Is it interesting to see this pattern ?
1
1 1
 8 18  3  18 4 4 5 5
 2    2 6 2 4 =4 and 5 =5

=   =    =   = 6 15 15 24 24
 27   3    3  3
 
Verify it. Can you frame 4 such new
surds?

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Activity - 2

Take a graph sheet and mark O, A, B, C as follows.

Y
2
In the square OABC,
OA = AB = BC = OC = 1unit
1.5
B
Consider right angled DOAC
A
1
2 2
2 AC = 1 + 1
0.5
C = 2 unit [By Pythagoras theorem]
O
Xʹ -0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 X
The length of the diagonal (hypotenuse)
-0.5
AC = 2 , which is a surd.
Yʹ

Consider the following graphs:

Y Y
C 3 C B
3 B
2 2.5
2.5

E 2
2
2 18
1.5 3 1.5

D 1
1

2 0.5
0.5

A A
O O
Xʹ -0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Xʹ -0.5 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 X X
-0.5 -0.5 3

Yʹ Yʹ

Let us try to find the length of AC in two different ways :

AC = AD + DE + EC 2 2 2 2
AC = OA + OC = 3 + 3
(diagonals of units squares)
= 9+9
= 2+ 2+ 2
AC = 18 units
AC = 3 2 units

Are they equal? Discuss. Can you verify the same by taking different squares of different
lengths?

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Exercise 2.6
1. Simplify the following using addition and subtraction properties of surds:
(i) 5 3 + 18 3 − 2 3 (ii) 4 3 5 + 2 3 5 − 3 3 5

(iii) 3 75 + 5 48 − 243 (iv) 5 3 40 + 2 3 625 − 3 3 320

2. Simplify the following using multiplication and division properties of surds:

(i) 3 ´ 5 ´ 2 (ii) 35 ¸ 7 (iii) 3
27 ´ 3 8 ´ 3
125
 225 25 
(
(iv) 7 a − 5 b )( 7 a +5 b ) (v)  −
 729 144  ÷
16
81

3. If 2 = 1.414, 3 = 1.732, 5 = 2.236, 10 = 3.162 , then find the values of the
following correct to 3 places of decimals.
(i) 40 - 20 (ii) 300 + 90 − 8
2 3
4. Arrange surds in descending order : (i) 3
5, 9 4, 6 3 (ii) 5, 3 4 7 , 3
5. Can you get a pure surd when you find
(i) the sum of two surds (ii) the difference of two surds
(iii) the product of two surds (iv) the quotient of two surds
Justify each answer with an example.
6. Can you get a rational number when you compute
(i) the sum of two surds (ii) the difference of two surds
(iii) the product of two surds (iv) the quotient of two surds
Justify each answer with an example.

2.7 Rationalisation of Surds

Rationalising factor is a term with which a term is multiplied or divided to make the
whole term rational.
Examples:
(i) 3 is a rationalising factor of 3 (since 3 × 3 = the rational number 3)
7 4 7 3 7 7
(ii) 5 is a rationalising factor of 5 (since their product = 5 = 5 , a rational)

Thinking Corner
1. In the example (i) above, can 12 also be a rationalising factor? Can you think of
any other number as a rationalising factor for 3 ?
7 3
2. Can you think of any other number as a rationalising factor for 5 in example (ii) ?
3. If there can be many rationalising factors for an expression containing a surd, is there
any advantage in choosing the smallest among them for manipulation?
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Progress Check
Identify a rationalising factor for each one of the following surds and verify the
same in each case:
3 1
(i) 18 (ii) 5 12 (iii) 49 (iv)
8

2.7.1 Conjugate Surds

Can you guess a rationalising factor for 3 + 2 ? This surd has one rational part and
one radical part. In such cases, the rationalising factor has an interesting form.
A rationalising factor for 3 + 2 is 3 - 2 . You can very easily check this.

( )( ) ( )
2
2
3+ 2 3− 2 = 3 − 2
= 9 −2
= 7, a rational.
What is the rationalising factor for a + b where a and b are rational numbers? Is it
a- b ? Check it. What could be the rationalising factor for a + b where a and b are
rational numbers? Is it a - b ? Or, is it − a + b ? Investigate.

Surds like a + b and a - b are called conjugate surds. What is the conjugate of
b + a ? It is − b + a . You would have perhaps noted by now that a conjugate is usually
obtained by changing the sign in front of the surd!

Example 2.27 7 5+ 3
Rationalise the denominator of (i) (ii)
14 5− 3
Solution
(i) Multiply both numerator and denominator by the rationalising factor 14 .
7 7 14 7 14 14
= × = =
14 14 14 14 2

( )×( )=( )
2

5+ 3 5+ 3 5+ 3 5+ 3
(ii) =
5− 3 (5 − 3 ) (5 + 3 ) 5 − ( 3 ) 2
2

5 + ( 3) + 2× 5× 3
2
2

=
25 − 3
25 + 3 + 10 3 28 + 10 3 2 ×[14 + 5 3 ]
= = =
22 22 22
14 + 5 3
=
11
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Exercise 2.7

1. Rationalise the denominator

1 5 75 3 5
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)
50 3 5 18 6
2. Rationalise the denominator and simplify

48 + 32 5 3+ 2
(i) (ii)
27 − 18 3+ 2
2 6- 5 5 5
(iii) (iv) −
3 5 -2 6 6 +2 6 −2

7 −2
3. Find the value of a and b if = a 7 +b
7 +2
2 1
4. If x = 5 + 2, then find the value of x + 2
x
8 -5 2
5. Given 2 = 1.414 , find the value of (to 3 places of decimals).
3 -2 2
2.8 Scientific Notation
Suppose you are told that the diameter
of the Sun is 13,92,000 km and that of the
Earth is 12,740 km, it would seem to be a
daunting task to compare them. In contrast, if
13,92,000 is written as 1.392 ×106 and 12,740
as 1.274×104, one will feel comfortable. This
sort of representation is known as scientific notation.
6
1.392 ⋅ 10 14 2
Since 4
⋅ 10 108.
1.274 ⋅ 10 13
You can imagine 108 Earths could line up across the face of the sun.
Scientific notation is a way of representing numbers that are too large or too small, to be
conveniently written in decimal form. It allows the numbers to be easily recorded and handled.

2.8.1 Writing a Decimal Number in Scientific Notation

Here are steps to help you to represent a number in scientific form:
(i) Move the decimal point so that there is only one non-zero digit to its left.
(ii) Count the number of digits between the old and new decimal point. This gives
‘n’, the power of 10.
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(iii) If the decimal is shifted to the left, the exponent n is positive. If the decimal is
shifted to the right, the exponent n is negative.

n
Expressing a number N in the form of N = a ×10 where, 1 ≤ a < 10 and ‘n’ is an
integer is called as Scientific Notation.

The following table of base 10 examples may make things clearer:

Decimal notation Scientific Decimal notation Scientific
notation notation
100 1 × 102 0.01 1 × 10-2
1,000 1 × 103 0.001 1 × 10-3
10,000 1 × 104 0.0001 1 × 10-4
1,00,000 1 × 105 0.00001 1 × 10-5
10,00,000 1 × 106 0.000001 1 × 10-6
1,00,00,000 1 × 107 0.0000001 1 × 10-7
Let us look into few more examples.

Example 2.28
Express in scientific notation (i) 9768854 (ii) 0.04567891
(iii) 72006865.48
Solution
6
(i) 9 7 6 8 8 5 4 . 0 = 9.768854 ´ 10

6 5 4 3 2 1

The decimal point is to be moved six places to the left. Therefore n = 6.

−2
(ii) 0 . 0 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 = 4.567891 × 10

1 2

The decimal point is to be moved two places to the right. Therefore n = −2 .

7
(iii) 7 2 0 0 6 8 6 5 . 48 = 7.200686548 × 10

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

The decimal point is to be moved seven places to the left. Therefore n = 7 .

2.8.2 Converting Scientific Notation to Decimal Form

The reverse process of converting a number in scientific notation to the decimal form
is easily done when the following steps are followed:
(i) Write the decimal number.

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(ii) Move the decimal point by the number of places specified by the power of 10, to
the right if positive, or to the left if negative. Add zeros if necessary.
(iii) Rewrite the number in decimal form.

Example 2.29
Write the following numbers in decimal form:
4 −5
(i) 6.34 ´ 10 (ii) 2.00367 × 10
Solution
4
(i)V 6.34 ´ 10
Þ 6 . 3 4 0 0 = 63400

1 2 3 4
−5
(ii) 2.00367 × 10

0 0 0 0 0 2 .00367

5 4 3 2 1

= 0.0000200367

2.8.3 Arithmetic of Numbers in Scientific Notation

(i) If the indices in the scientific notation of two numbers are the same, addition (or
subtraction) is easily performed.
Example 2.30
The mass of the Earth is 5.97×1024 kg and that of the Moon is
0.073 ×1024 kg. What is their total mass?
Solution
Total mass = 5.97×1024 kg + 0.073 ×1024 kg
= (5.97 + 0.073) ×1024 kg
= 6.043 ×1024 kg
(ii) The product or quotient of numbers in scientific notation can be easily done if
we make use of the laws of radicals appropriately.

Example 2.31
Write the following in scientific notation :
4 3
(i) (50000000) (ii) (0.00000005)
3 4 3 4
(iii) (300000) ×(2000) (iv) (4000000) ÷ (0.00002)

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Solution

( ) ( )
4 4 3 3
(i) (50000000) = 5.0 × 10 (ii) (0.00000005) = 5.0 × 10
7 −8

( )
3

( )
4 3
= (5.0) × 10
4 −8
= (5.0) × 10
7

−24
= 625.0 × 10
28
= (125.0)× (10)
2 −24
= 6.25 × 10 ×10
2 28
= 1.25 × 10 × 10
30 −22
= 6.25 × 10 = 1.25 × 10
3 4 3 4
(iii) (300000) × (2000) (iv) (4000000) ÷ (0.00002)

( ) ( )
3 4

( ) ( )
5 3 3 4
−5
= 3.0 × 10 × 2.0 × 10 = 4.0 × 10
6
÷ 2.0 × 10

= (3.0) × (10 ) × (2.0) × (10 )

3 3 4 4

= (4.0) × (10 ) ÷ (2.0) × (10 )

5 3 3 3 4 4
6 −5

= (27.0)× (10 )× (16.0)× (10 )

15 12
18
64.0 × 10
=
= (2.7 × 10 )× (10 )× (1.6 × 10 )× (10 )
1 15 1 12 −20
16.0 × 10
18 +20
1 15 1 12 = 4 × 10 × 10
= 2.7 × 1.6 × 10 × 10 × 10 × 10
38
1+15 +1+12 29 = 4.0 × 10
= 4.32 × 10 = 4.32 × 10

Thinking Corner
1. Write two numbers in scientific notation whose product is 2. 83104.
2. Write two numbers in scientific notation whose quotient is 2. 83104.

Exercise 2.8

1. Represent the following numbers in the scientific notation:

(i) 569430000000 (ii) 2000.57
(iii) 0.0000006000 (iv) 0.0009000002

2. Write the following numbers in decimal form:

6 4
(i) 3.459 ´ 10 (ii) 5.678 ´ 10
−5 −7
(iii) 1.00005 × 10 (iv) 2.530009 × 10
3. Represent the following numbers in scientific notation:
2 4 11 3
(i) (300000) ×(20000) (ii) (0.000001) ÷ (0.005)
(iii) {(0.00003) × (0.00005) } ÷ {(0.009) × (0.05) }
6 4 3 2

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4. Represent the following information in scientific notation:

(i) The world population is nearly 7000,000,000.
(ii) One light year means the distance 9460528400000000 km.
(iii) Mass of an electron is 0.000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 000 00091093822 kg.

5. Simplify:
(i) (2.75 × 107) + (1.23 × 108) (ii) (1.598×1017) – (4.58 ×1015)
(iii) (1.02 × 1010) × (1.20 × 10–3) (iv) (8.41 × 104) ' (4.3 × 105)

Activity - 3
The following list shows the mean distance of the planets of the solar system from the
Sun. Complete the following table. Then arrange in order of magnitude starting with the
distance of the planet closest to the Sun.

Decimal form Scientific Notation

Planet
(in Km) (in Km)
Jupiter 7.78´108
Mercury 58000000
Mars 2.28´108
Uranus 2870000000
Venus 108000000
Neptune 4500000000
Earth 1.5´108
Saturn 1.43´108

Exercise 2.9

Multiple Choice Questions

1. If n is a natural number then n is

(1) always a natural number. (2) always an irrational number.
(3) always a rational number (4) may be rational or irrational
2. Which of the following is not true?.
(1) Every rational number is a real number. (2) Every integer is a rational number.
(3) Every real number is an irrational number. (4) Every natural number is a whole number.
3. Which one of the following, regarding sum of two irrational numbers, is true?
(1) always an irrational number. (2) may be a rational or irrational number.
(3) always a rational number. (4) always an integer.

4. Which one of the following has a terminating decimal expansion?.

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5 8 14 1
(1) (2) (3) (4)
64 9 15 12
5. Which one of the following is an irrational number
9 7
(1) 25 (2) (3) (4) π
4 11
6. An irrational number between 2 and 2.5 is
(1) 11 (2) 5 (3) 2.5 (4) 8
7. The smallest rational number by which 13 should be multiplied so that its decimal
expansion terminates with one place of decimal is
1 3
(1) (2) (3) 3 (4) 30
10 10
8. If 17 = 0.142857 then the value of 57 is

(1) 0.142857 (2) 0.714285 (3) 0.571428 (4) 0.714285

9. Find the odd one out of the following.
27 54
(1) 32 # 2 (2) (3) 72 # 8 (4)
3 18
10. 0.34 + 0.34 =
(1) 0.6 87 (2) 0.68 (3) 0.68 (4) 0.687

11. Which of the following statement is false?

(1) The square root of 25 is 5 or −5 (3) 25 = 5
(2) − 25 = − 5 (4) 25 = ± 5
12. Which one of the following is not a rational number?

8 7
(1) (2) (3) 0.01 (4) 13
18 3
13. 27 + 12 =

(1) 39 (2) 5 6 (3) 5 3 (4) 3 5

14. If 80 = k 5, then k =
(1) 2 (2) 4 (3) 8 (4) 16

15. 4 7× 2 3 =
(1) 6 10 (2) 8 21 (3) 8 10 (4) 6 21

2 3
16. When written with a rational denominator, the expression can be simplified as
3 2
2 3 6 2
(1) (2) (3) (4)
3 2 3 3
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( )
2
17. When 2 5 − 2 is simplified, we get
(1) 4 5 + 2 2 (2) 22 - 4 10 (3) 8 - 4 10 (4) 2 10 - 2
−3 −3
18. (0.000729) 4 × (0.09) 4 = ______ 6
3 5 2
10 10 10 10
(1) (2) (3) (4) 6
3 5 2
3 3 3 3
19. If 9x = 3 92 ,, then x = ______
(1) 2 (2) 4 (3) 1 (4) 5
3 3 3 3
20. The length and breadth of a rectangular plot are 5×10 5 and 4×10 4 metres
respectively. Its area is ______.
(1) 9×101 m2 (2) 9×109 m2 (3) 2×1010 m2 (4) 20×1020 m2

Points to Remember
p
„„ When the decimal expansion of q , q ! 0 terminates that is, comes to an end, the
decimal is called a terminating decimal.
p
„„ In the decimal expansion of q , q ! 0 when the remainder is not zero, we have a repeating
(recurring) block of digits in the quotient. In this case, the decimal expansion is called
non-terminating and recurring.
p p
„„ If a rational number q , q ! 0 can be expressed in the form m # n , where p ! Z and
2 5
m, n ! W , then the rational number will have a terminating decimals. Otherwise, the
rational number will have a non-terminating repeating (recurring) decimal.
„„ A rational number can be expressed either a terminating or a non- terminating
recurring decimal.
„„ An irrational number is a non-terminating and non-recurring decimal, i.e. it cannot be
p
written in form q , where p and q are both integers and q ! 0.
„„ The union of all rational numbers and all irrational numbers is called the set of real
numbers.
„„ Every real number is either a rational number or an irratonal number.
„„ If a real number is not rational number, then it must be an irrational number.
n
„„ If ‘a’ is a positive rational number, ‘n’ is a positive integer and if a is an irrational
n
number, then a is called as a surd.
„„ If ‘m’, ‘n’ are positive integers and a, b are positive rational numbers, then
n
( )
n a a
n n n m n n m
(i) a =a = a (ii) n a × n b = n ab (iii) a = mn a = a (iv) =n
n
b b
„„ The process of multiplying a surd by another surd to get a rational number is called
Rationalisation.
n
„„ Expressing a number N in the form of N = a ×10 where, 1 ≤ a < 10 and ‘n’ is an
integer is called as Scientific Notation.
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