Real Numeracy = {………..
-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, ………}
Algebra plays a major role in every branch of 4. Rational numbers,
mathematics, how algebra is structured and Set of integers together with the set of fraction
organised. To do this, we can organise our numbers (or any number which can be
knowledge of numbers, the operations defined expressed as a fraction). Any integers or
on them and the properties that the numbers terminating decimal numbers or recurring
obey into some meaningful system. Only then decimals are rational numbers because they
we can understand how mathematics develops can all be expressed as fraction.
and grows.
(i) Integers are rational numbers. For
example, 6 6 , 4 4
A mathematical system is a set with one or
more binary operations. We shall be concerned 1 1
with using sets of numbers, such as the set of
real numbers, and the four operations of (ii) Terminating decimal are rational numbers.
addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. For example,
12 6 14683
The diagram below shows a set of real 1.2 , 14.683
10 4 1000
numbers (or types of number system).
(iii) Recurring decimals are rational numbers.
REAL NUMBER
The following examples demonstrate how
recurring decimals can be converted to
IRRATIONAL NUMBERS RATIONAL NUMBERS fraction form.
Examples
FRACTIONS INTEGERS
(a) Express 0. 3 as fraction.
. .
NEGATIVE INTEGERS WHOLE NUMBERS
(CARDINAL NUMBERS)
(b) Express 0. 27 as fraction.
.
(c) Express 2.31in the form a/b, where b 0 .
ZERO NATURAL NUMBERS
(POSITIVE INTEGERS)
Solution (a)
.
1 0.3 0.3333333.................(1)
1. Natural numbers, .
Set of numbers which start from 1 and continue 10 0.3 3.333333...................(2)
into positive infinity (+∞). Sometimes they are Subtracting (1) from (2) gives
called counting numbers. .
9 0.3 3
= {1, 2, 3, ………………..}
.
3
0.3
2. Whole number, 9
Set of numbers which include zero with the 1
natural numbers. Sometimes they are called
3
cardinal numbers
= {0, 1, 2, 3, ……………}
3. Integers,
Set of numbers which contains zero, counting
numbers and its opposite.
Mr Yombon Page 1 of 1