Which of the following is the correct definition of a rational number?...
Answer: B) A number that can be written as p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0.
A rational number is defined as any number that can be expressed as the ratio of two integers, where the denominator q is not equal to zero.
Which of the following is the correct definition of a rational number?...
Definition of a Rational Number
A rational number is a fundamental concept in mathematics, particularly in number theory. Here’s a detailed explanation of the correct definition.
Correct Definition
- The correct answer is option B: A number that can be written as p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0.
Key Features of Rational Numbers
- Fraction Representation: Rational numbers can be expressed as fractions where:
- p: Represents the numerator (an integer).
- q: Represents the denominator (an integer that cannot be zero).
- Integers: Since both p and q are integers, this means that rational numbers can include whole numbers (like 1, 2, 3), negative numbers (-1, -2), and proper or improper fractions (like 1/2, 3/4, 5/3).
Misconceptions in Other Options
- Option A states that a rational number cannot be written as a fraction, which is incorrect.
- Option C claims that a rational number can only be a fraction with positive integers, ignoring negative fractions and zero.
- Option D suggests that rational numbers are not whole numbers or fractions, which is false since whole numbers are also rational (e.g., 3 can be expressed as 3/1).
Conclusion
In summary, the definition of rational numbers is expansive and includes a wide range of numbers that can be expressed in fractional form. Understanding this concept is crucial for further studies in mathematics.