document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=263485>Question 263485</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> How can you tell the difference between rational and illrational numbers? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #194168 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><B>oberobic(2304)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=oberobic><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=194168\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> Rational numbers can be depicted as a fraction or ratio of whole numbers.  Irrational numbers cannot be.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "For example, 355/113 is an excellent approximation of pi, but it does NOT equal pi.  Pi is irrational.  Irrational numbers often are the result of measurements or calculations involving real numbers.  <BR>\n" );
document.write( "<br><BR>\n" );
document.write( "Note that if you find a decimal that repeats (instead of just continuing to go on and on and on with different values), then you have a rational number.  The challenge then would be to find the two whole numbers that define the rational number.  For example, the decimal 6.412121212... is equal to 6348/990. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );