A system is a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done.
Number System is a set of principles according to which numbers are represented and various arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, etc. are applied to them. This lays down the basic rules on how various digits and symbols are used.
Whenever we change the principles, we get a new set of the number system. This results in various types of number systems.
Some of the examples of the number systems are:
We will be talking about various number system and the bases in subsequent chapters. The standard number system that we use across the world is the decimal number system. Decimal Number System has a base "10" as it uses 10 digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) to represent all the numbers.
In this chapter we are going to talk about the Numbers, their properties and their classifications. As discussed earlier all these properties will be limited to decimal number system only since that is the basis of all the question asked. The concepts discussed in this chapter will be your first step towards a general understanding of the mathematics requirements to clear any entrance exams. As we proceed you will realize that you have already learnt most of these concept in school.
The primary application of mathematics is counting. That is where the very first category of numbers comes in, i.e. natural numbers or commonly as known as counting Numbers.
➤ Features of Natural Numbers
Natural numbers along with 0, form a set of numbers known as Whole numbers. Since '0' is a representation of the absence of anything and is not used for counting, thus they are not called the counting numbers.
➤ Features of Whole Numbers
Numbers less than 'zero' are represented with a negative sign along with them and are referred to as negative numbers.
Whole numbers, along with negative of natural numbers form a set of numbers known as integers.
➤ Features of Integers
4. Fraction
The word ‘fraction’ has been derived from the Latin ‘fractus’ which means “broken”. Fraction represent part of a whole. When we divide a whole into pieces, each part is a fraction of the whole.
Example: 1/2, 3/5, 2/7, 10/21
A fraction has two parts. The number on the top of the line is called the numerator. The number below the line is called the denominator.
➤ Features of Integers
Fractions are generally of two types on the basis of representation:
(i) Simple Fraction
Example: 30/7
(ii) Mixed Fraction
Example:
into a simple fraction.
These are nothing but a form of representation of fractions. We make the value of denominator as unity, i.e. "1". They can be both negative and positive.
Example: 2.5, 1.25, 1.3333 ......., 2.666....., 2.8284.....
(i) Decimal numbers are majorly divided into two categories
(ii) Non-Terminal Decimal Numbers are further divided into two categories
6. Rational Numbers
All those numbers which can be represented in the form of p/q where p and q are integers with q ≠ 0 are known as Rational numbers. All the integers, fractions, terminating decimal numbers and non-terminating recurring decimal numbers fall under the category of Rational Numbers.
All those numbers which are not rational are known as irrational numbers. Non-reciprocating non-terminating decimal numbers are irrational numbers. Square Roots, Cube Roots, etc. of natural numbers turn out to be irrational numbers.
Example: √3 = 1.7320.... , √8 = 2.8284 ......, 3√4 = 1.5874 .......
Converting a Terminating Decimal Number in p/q form:
Example: Convert 80.125 in p/q form
Solution: Count how many digits are thereafter decimal, 3 in this case.
Remove the decimal and divide the number so received by as many 10's as the counting in step 1.
► 80.125 = 80125/1000 = 641/8
Converting a non-terminating recurring decimal number in p/q form:
Example: Convert 80. in p/q form.
Solution:
Step 1: Let the number be equal to x
► x = 80.
Step 2: Count how many digits are thereafter decimal, 3 in this case.
Step 3: Multiply by as many tens on both sides, i.e. 1000, in this case.
► 1000x = 80125.
Step 4: Subtract from
► 999x = 80045
► x = 80045 / 999
Example: Convert 80. 1 in p/q form.
Solution:
Let 80.1 = x
Multiply both sides by 100
►
Subtract from
► 99x = 7922.4
in p/q form
in p/q form
The process we have applied in the examples above is too time-consuming. We need a method that can do the same process in much less time. For that, we have a formula with which you can have the answer in a single step.
Every terminating recurring decimal number has 3 parts (Taking the example of:
(i) Digits before the decimal (80).
(ii) No. of digits with the bar on them after the decimal (2).
(iii) No. of digits without a bar on them after the decimal (1).
Rational form = All the digits without decimal written once - All the digits without bar written once / as many 9's as no. of digits with bar on them after decimal followed by as many 0's no. of digits without bar on them after decimal.
Example: Convert 80. in p/q form
Solution:
► All the digits are written once = 80125
► All the digits without bar written once = 80
► No. of digits with bar after decimal = 3
► No. of digits without bar after decimal = 0
► Rational form = (80125 - 80) / 999 = 80045 / 999
Example: Convert 80. 1 in p/q from
Solution:
► All the digits are written once = 80125
► All the digits without Bar written once = 801
► No. of digits with bar after decimal = 2
► No. of digits without bar after decimal = 1
► Rational form = (80125 - 801) / 990 = 79224 / 990
in p/q from
in p/q form
Rational numbers, as well as irrational numbers together, form the real numbers. As per the definition, all the numbers which can be represented on a number line are known as real numbers. All the categories which we have discussed till now all fall in the set of Real numbers, including the irrational numbers. They can also be represented on a number lines.
All those numbers that actually do not exist in a number system but assume their presence for the sake of calculations are known as imaginary numbers. They cannot be represented on number lines. They are also called complex numbers.
Example: √−3, √−16, 4√−8
Note: The study of complex numbers is not important from Aptitude Testing point of view. So, we will not take this topic any further.