E=2.

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‐ ½ 2 

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
5

Fig 3.1

3.1.2 Integers, Z

The integers are those real numbers

…, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3,…

We denote the integers by Z; hence we can write

Z = { …, -2, - 1, 0, 1, 2,…}

The integers are also referred to as the “whole” numbers.

One important property of the integers is that they are “closed” under the
operations of addition, multiplication and subtraction; that is, the sum, product
and difference of two integers is again in integer. Notice that the quotient of
two integers, e.g. 3 and 7, need not be an integer; hence the integers are not
closed under the operation of division.

3.1.3 Rational Numbers, Q

The rational numbers are those real numbers, which can be expressed as the
ratio of two integers. We denote the set of rational numbers by Q. Accordingly,

Q = {xx = p q where p z, qz}

Notice that each integer is also a rational number since, for example, 5 = 5/1;
hence Z is a subset of Q.

The rational numbers are closed not only under the operations of addition,
multiplication and subtraction but also under the operation of division (except
by 0). In other words, the sum, product, difference and quotient (except by 0)
of two rational numbers is again a rational number.
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3.1.4 Natural Numbers, N

The natural numbers are the positive integers. We denote the set of natural
numbers by N; hence N = {1,2,3…..}

The natural numbers were the first number system developed and were used
primarily, at one time, for counting. Notice the following relationship between
the above numbers systems:

NZQR

The natural numbers are closed only under the operation of addition and
multiplication. The difference and quotient of two natural numbers needed not
be a natural number.

The prime numbers are those natural numbers p, excluding 1, which are only
divisible 1 and p itself. We list the first few prime numbers:
2,3,5,7,11,13,17,19…

3.1.5 Irrational Numbers, Q’

The irrational numbers are those real numbers which are not rational, that is,
the set of irrational numbers is the complement of the set of rational numbers
Q in the real numbers R; hence Q’ denote the irrational numbers. Examples of
irrational numbers are 3, , 2, etc.

3.1.6 Line Diagram of the Number Systems

Fig 3.2 below is a line diagram of the various sets of number, which we have
investigated. (For completeness, the diagram include the sets of complex
numbers, number of the form a + bi where a and b are real. Notice that the set
of complex numbers is superset of the set of real numbers.)

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 Complex
Numbers

Real
Numbers

Rational Numbers Irrational Numbers

Integers

Negative Zero
Integers Natural Numbers

Prime Numbers
Fig 3.2

3.2 DECIMALS AND REAL NUMBERS

Every real number can be represented by a “non-terminating decimal”. The

decimal representation of a rational number p/q can be found by “dividing the
denominator q into the numerator p”. If the indicated division terminates, as
for

3/8 = .375

We write 3/8 = .375000

Or 3/8 = .374999…

If we indicated division of q into p does not terminate, then it is known that a

block of digits will continually be repeated; for example, 2/11 = .181818…

We now state the basic fact connecting decimals and real numbers. The
rational numbers correspond precisely to those decimals in which a block of
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digits is continually repeated, and the irrational numbers correspond to the
other non-terminating decimals.

3.3 INEQUALITIES

The concept of “order” is introduced in the real number system by the

Definition: The real number a is less than the real number b,

written a < b

If b – a is a positive number.

The following properties of the relation a < b can be proven. Let a, b and c be
real numbers; then:

P1: Either a < b, a = b or b < a.

P2: If a < b and b < c, then a < c.

P3: If a < b, then a + c < b + c

P4: If a < b and c is positive, then ac < bc

P5: If a < b and c is negative, then bc < ac.

Geometrically, if a < b then the point a on the real line lies to the left of the
point b.

We also denote a < b by b > a

Which reads “b is greater then a”. Furthermore, we write

a < b or b > a

if a < b or a = b, that is, if a is not greater than b.

Example 1.1: 2 < 5; -6 < -3 and 4 < 4; 5 > -8

Example 1.2: The notation x < 5 means that x is a real number which is less

than 5; hence x lies to the left of 5 on the real line.

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The notation 2 < x < 7; means 2 < x and also x < 7; hence x will lie between 2
and 7 on the real line.

Remark 3.1: Notice that the concept of order, i.e. the relation a < b, is defined
in terms of the concept of positive numbers. The fundamental property of the
positive numbers which is used to prove properties of the relation a < b is that
the positive numbers are closed under the operations of addition and
multiplication. Moreover, this fact is intimately connected with the fact that the
natural numbers are also closed under the operations of addition and
multiplication.

Remark 3.2: The following statements are true when a, b, c are any real
numbers:

1. a < a

2. if a < b and b < a then a = b.

3. if a < b and b < c then a < c.

3.4 ABSOLUTE VALUE

The absolute value of a real number x, denoted by ÷ x÷ is defined by the

formula

x = x if x > 0

-x if x < 0

that is, if x is positive or zero then xequals x, and if x is negative then

xequals – x. Consequently, the absolute value of any number is always non-
negative, i.e. x> 0 for every x  R.

Geometrically speaking, the absolute value of x is the distance between the

point x on the real line and the origin, i.e. the point 0. Moreover, the distance
between any two points, i.e. real numbers, a and b is a - b= b - a.
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