Question 55970
For a detailed explanation, see my website by clicking on my tutor name "rapaljer" anywhere in algebra.com, then look for Basic Algebra, then Samples from Basic Algebra: One Step at a Time, then Chapter 1, then Section 1.01 Number Systems.


Meanwhile, these are the systems of numbers leading up to the Real Number System.

1.  Natural Numbers = 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.  It's "natural" to count on your fingers!


2.  Whole Numbers= 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.


3.  Integers = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc, also -1, -2, -3, -4, etc.


4.  Rational Nunbers = any number that can be expressed as a "ratio" of two integers.  This includes whole numbers, integers, fractions, terminating and repeating decimals, etc.


5.  Irrational Numbers= numbers like {{{sqrt(2)}}}, {{{sqrt(3) }}}, {{{pi}}}, etc.


The rational and irrational numbers have NO members in common, and together they form the real number system.


R^2 at SCC