REAL NUMBERS What Are Real Numbers? Real numbers are the set of rational and irrational numbers. The set of rational numbers includes integers, whole numbers, and natural numbers. • A rational number is a number that can be made into a fraction. Decimals that repeat or terminate are rational because they can be changed into fractions. • An irrational number is a number that cannot be made into a fraction. Decimals that do not repeat or end are irrational numbers. • A square root of a number is a number that when multiplied by itself will result in the original number. The square root of 4 is 2 because 2 · 2 = 4. o A square root does not have to be a whole number or a rational number. The square root of 1.44 is 1.2 and the square root of 3 is 1.732050808…. o There are two solutions for a square root of a positive number, positive and negative. Square roots are used in mathematical operations. The equations are solved using inverse operations and when x² is found, the square root of a number is taken to find the answer. o The square of a number is a number multiplied by itself. Three squared, 3², is equal to 3 · 3, which is 9. © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
How to use real numbers Any real number is either rational or irrational. Pi is an irrational number. Which of the following numbers are rational? Which are irrational? Ex. .125 √2 √169 √189 .5436791… The real numbers, .125 and √169 are rational because .125 terminates and √169 = 13. The real numbers, √2, √189 and .5436791… are irrational because they all are decimals that do not repeat or terminate, √2 =1.414213562…, √189 = 13.74772708… and .5436791… o Square roots of numbers can be rational or irrational. The √64 is equal to 8 or -8 because either of these squared will give the answer 64. o The squares of numbers can be used in word problems. The area of any square object will use the formula Area = s². For example, what is the area of a square book that has sides that measure 27 cm? Ex. A = s² = 27² = 729 cm² © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Try This! 1. Which numbers are rational? irrational? 14/12 √2.56 √3.6 π 2. What are the following numbers squared? 8.2 14 2.5 1/2 3. What are all the square roots of the following numbers? 81 21 2.56 3.45 4. What is the area of a square painting that has sides of 16"? 5. If a square tile has an area of 72.25 in.², how long are the sides? 6. Solve for x for the following equations: x² + 3 = 52 3x² = 192 x²/4 = 36 © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.