Question 286756
Rational Number: Any number that can be represented as a fraction of two integers (whole numbers) where the denominator is not zero.



Examples: {{{1/3}}}, {{{2/7}}}, {{{11/15}}}, {{{23/32}}}, {{{1/2}}}, {{{2=2/1}}}, {{{5=5/1}}}



Notes:


1) Every whole number or integer is a rational number since each whole number or integer can be represented as a fraction of that number over 1. Eg. the whole number 5 is a rational number since {{{5=5/1}}}



2) We can divide out the fractions to get decimal values. For instance, {{{1/3=0.3333}}} (where the 3's go on forever). Consequently, the number 0.333333 (where the 3's go on forever) is a rational number also. Notice how this number has a predictable pattern (we know that there will be a 3 a million digits down the line). The decimal representation may go on forever, but because it has a predictable pattern, this means that this number is rational. On the other hand, {{{pi=3.14159265}}} (where the decimal digits go on....) has an unpredictable pattern of digits. In fact, it has no pattern at all. So the key here is a predictable pattern.