UNIT 8

RATIONAL NUMBERS
(A) Main Concepts and Results

• A number that can be expressed in the form p , where p and q are

q
integers and q  0 , is called a rational number.
• All integers and fractions are rational numbers.
• If the numerator and denominator of a rational number are multiplied or divided by
a non-zero integer, we get a rational number which is said to be equivalent to the
given rational number.
• Rational numbers are classified as positive, zero or negative rational numbers.
When the numerator and denominator both are positive integers or both are
negative integers, it is a positive rational number. When either the numerator or
the denominator is a negative integer, it is a negative rational number.
• The number 0 is neither a positive nor a negative rational number.
• There are unlimited number of rational numbers between two rational numbers.
• A rational number is said to be in the standard form, if its denominator is a
positive integer and the numerator and denominator have no common factor
other than 1.
• Two rational numbers with the same denominator can be added by adding their
numerators, keeping with the same denominator.
• Two rational numbers with different denominators are added by first taking the
LCM of the two denominators and then converting both the rational numbers to
their equivalent forms having the LCM as the denominator and adding them as
above.
 UNIT
• While subtracting two rational numbers, we add the additive inverse of the
rational number to be subtracted to the other rational number.
Product of numerators
• Product of rational numbers =
Product of denominators

• The reciprocal of a non-zero rational number p is q .

q p
• To divide one rational number by the other non-zero rational number, we multiply
the first rational number by the reciprocal of the other.

(B) Solved Examples

In Examples 1 to 4, there are four options, out of which one is correct. Choose the
correct one.

Example 1: Which of the following rational numbers is equivalent 2

to ?
3

3 4 4 9
(a) (b) (c) (d)
2 9 6 4
Solution: Correct answer is (c).
Example 2: Which of the following rational numbers is in standard form?

(a) 20 10 1 1
(b) (c) (d)
30 4 2 –3
Solution: Correct answer is (c).
3 1
Example 3: The sum of
and is
2 2
(a) –1 (b) –2 (c) 4 (d) 3
Solution: Correct answer is (a).

Example 4: The value of 4 –1

 3 – 3 is
(a) – 2 (b) – 3 (c) 2 (d) –1
Solution: Correct answer is (d).

RATIONAL NUMBERS
MATHEMATIC
In Examples 5 and 6, fill in the blanks to make the statements true.
Example 5: There are number of rational numbers between two
rational numbers.
Solution: Unlimited

Example 6: The rational number is neither positive nor

negative.
Solution: 0 (Zero).
In Examples 7 to 9, state whether the statements are True or False.
p
Example 7: In any rational number , denominator is always a non-
q
zero integer.
Solution: True.

Reading Strategy: Read a Lesson for Understanding

You need to be actively involved as you work through each lesson in your textbook. To begin with, find the less
Lesson Features

23 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
Example 8: “To reduce the rational number to its standard form, we divide its
numerator and denominator by their HCF”.
Solution: True.

Example 9: “All rational numbers are integers”.

Solution: False.

Solve
Choose an Operation
To decide whether to add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve a problem, you need to determine the action taking place in the pro

Subtracted from
Divided by Minus
Difference
Quotient Less than
Divided into Decreased by

Multiplied by
Added to Times
Plus Product
Sum Groups of
More than

Example 10: List three rational numbers between 4 5

and .
5 6
Solution: We convert the rational numbers 4 5
5 and 6 into rational
numbers with the same denominators.
4 4 6 24 5 5 5 25
   ;   
5 5 6 30 6 6 5 30

RATIONAL NUMBERS 235

MATHEMATIC

24 24 4 25 25 4
So, and
30  30  4 30  30  4
96 100
 120  120
or
98 99 100
Here, 96 < 97 < < <
. So, the required numbers
120 120 120 120 120
are 97 98 99
, and
120 120 120
Alternate solution A rational number between
4 5
and is
5 6
1  4 5  49
 2  5  6  60
another rational number
1  4 49  97
 2  5  60  
  120
one more rational number

2 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
1  49 99 33
5
 
 
 
2  60 6  120 40
4 5
Therefore, three rational numbers between and are
5 6
33
49 97 and
,
60 120 40
Note: There can be many set of answers.

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING WITH LIKE

DENOMINATORS
Words Numbers Formula
To add or subtract rational
numbers with 1 4  1(– 4) a b ab
the same denominator, 5 5  5 
  d d d
add or subtract the
numerators and keep 3 3
 5 , or 5
the same denominator.

Example11: Which of the following pairs represent equivalent rational numbers

?
7 28 –2 –16
(i)
and (ii) and
12 48 –3 24
Solution:
7 28
(i) and
12 48
7
Now, first rational number is and it is already in the
12
standard form because there is no common factor in 7 and 12
other than 1.
7
So, is in its standard form (a)
12
28
Now, Consider
48
28 = 2 × 2 × 7
48 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
HCF = 2 × 2 = 4

RATIONAL NUMBERS 237

MATHEMATIC
Now, to reduce the rational numbers to its standard form, we divide
the numerator and denominator by their HCF. First we take HCF of
28 and 48:
28 28  4 7
Now,   (b)
48 48  4 12
From (a) and (b), we can say that the rational numbers
7 28
and are equivalent.
12 48
–2 –16
(ii) and
–3 24
–2
First we multiply the numerator and denominator of
–3
by (–1), we get
–2 (–2) (–1) 2
  (a)
–3 (–3) (–1) 3
Now it is in its standard form.
16
Now, Consider
24
HCF of 16 and 24 is 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
16 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2
24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 3
HCF = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
–16 –16  8 –2
So, (b)
24 24  8 3
From (a) and (b), we can say that the rational numbers
–2 –16
and
–3 24 are not equivalent.

Action Operation

Combining numbers or putting numbers together Addition

Taking away or finding out how far apart two numbers are Subtraction
Combining groups Multiplication
Splitting things into equal groups or finding how many equal groups you Division
can make

238 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
Example 12: Write four more rational numbers to complete the pattern:
–1 –2 –3
, ,
3 6 9, , , , .
Solution: By observing the above pattern, we find that denominator is
multiple of 3. So we will increase this pattern in this way.
–2 –1 2 –3 –1  3 –4
 ,
  –1 4
, 34
6 32 9 3  3 12
–1  1 –1
 ,
31 3,

–1  4 –4

3  4 12
Thus, we observe a pattern in these numbers. So, the
other numbers would be
–1  5 –5 –1  6 –6 , –1 7 –7 –1 × 8 – 8
 ,   and =
35 15 36 18 3  7 21 3×8 24

DIVIDING RATIONAL NUMBERS IN FRACTION FORM

Words Numbers Algebra
To divide by a fraction,
multiply by the reciprocal 1 4 1 5 5 a c a d
7  5  7 4 28 
 adb  c
d bc
b

5 3
Example 13: Find the sum of – 4 and – 7 .
6 4

Solution: 5  3
4  7
6  4  
– 29  – 31  – 29 –31
= +  = +
6  4  6 4

RATIONAL NUMBERS 239

 MATHEMATIC
–29  2 –31  3
=  . [Since LCM of 6 and 4 is 12].
12 12
–29  2 – 31 3
 12
–58 – 93
 12
–151

12

So, the required sum is –151

12 .

Think and Discuss

1. Give an example of two denominators with no common factors.

2 1  2 3 
2. Tell if  16  is positive or negative. Explain.
5  

21
3. Explain how to add 2 9, without
52 first writing them as improper
fractions.

Example 14: Find the product of 3 6

–2 and 5 .
4 7
3 6
Solution: –2 5  –11 41
4 7 4 7
Now, product of two rational numbers
Product of numerators
=
Product of denominators

So, – 2 3  5 6 = –11 41 =
–11  41
=
– 451
4 7 4  7 4 7 28

240 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT

Think and Discuss

Explain how you can be sure that a fraction is simplified.
Give the sign of a rational number in which the numerator is negative and the denominator is negative.

Example 15: Match column I to column II in the following:

Column I Column II
3 3
(i) 
4 4 (a) –1
1 4 –2
(ii)  (b)
2 3 3
2 3
(iii)  (–1) (c)
3 2

RATIONAL NUMBERS 241

 MATHEMATIC
3 1 3
(iv)

4 2 (d)
8
(v)
5  –5  (e) 1
7  7
 
Solution: (i)  (e), (ii)  (d), (iii)  (b), (iv)  (c), (v)  (a)

Application on Problem Solving Strategy

Example 16
2
5
Find the reciprocal of ÷– .
1155

Understand and Explore the Problem

Solution :

What are you trying to find?

The reciprocal of the given number.

Plan a Strategy

You know the division of rational numbers and the meaning

of reciprocal. Apply this knowledge to find the reciprocal.

242 EXEMPLAR
MATHEMATICS

Solve 5
2 55
• Given expression = 2 5 – –2
 =
11 55 11 5
• Now find out the reciprocal of – 2

The reciprocal of – 2 is 1
 2.

Revise


1
• Multiply – 2 and and check whether you get 1 or not.
2

–2× 1
=1
2
Hence, our answer is correct, since we know that the product of a
rational number with its reciprocal is always 1.

Think and Discuss

25
1. Can you find the reciprocal of × ?
1155
2. Can you compare this reciprocal with the orignal number?

(C) Exercise
In each of the following questions 1 to 12, there are four options, out of which, only
one is correct. Write the correct one.
1. A rational number is defined as a number that can be expressed in
p
the form , where p and q are integers and
q
(a) q = 0 (b) q=1 (c) q  1 (d) q  0

2 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
2. Which of the following rational numbers is positive?

–8 19
(a) (b) (c) –3 (d)
–21
7 –13 –4 13
3. Which of the following rational numbers is negative?
(a) –5 9 3
–  –37  (b) (c) (d)
–8 8 –7
 
4. In the standard form of a rational number, the common factor of numerator and
denominator is always:
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) – 2 (d) 2
5. Which of the following rational numbers is equal to its reciprocal?

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 1

(d) 0
2

6. The reciproal of 1
is
2
(a) 3 (b) 2 (c) – 1 (d) 0

7. The standard form of –48

is
60
48
–60 4 4
(a) (b) (c) (d)
60 48 5 5

Number Reciprocal Product

3 4 3  4 
1
4 3 43

5 5 12 
 12  –  1
12  12 5
5  

1
6    1
6 1
6 6

RATIONAL NUMBERS
 UNIT
4
8. Which of the following is equivalent to ?
5
5 16 16 15
(a) (b) (c) (d)
4 25 20 25

9. How many rational numbers are there between two rational numbers?
(a) 1 (b) 0 (c) unlimited (d) 100

10. In the standard form of a rational number, the denominator is always a

(a) 0 (b) negative integer
(c) positive integer (d) 1

11. To reduce a rational number to its standard form, we divide its numerator and
denominator by their
(a) LCM (b) HCF (c) product (d) multiple

12. Which is greater number in the following:

–1 1
(a) (b) 0 (c) (d) – 2
2 2

RULES FOR MULTIPYING TWO RATIONAL NUMBERS

If the signs of the factors are the same, the product is positive.
(+) . (+) = (+) or (–) . (–) = (+)
If the signs of the factors are different, the product is negative (+) . (–) = (–) or (–) . (+) = (–)

In Questions 13 to 46, fill in the blanks to make the statements true.

13. – 3 is a rational number.

8
14. 1 is a rational number.

244 EXEMPLAR
 MATHEMATIC

15. The standard form of –8

is .
–36
18
16. The standard form of is .
–24
–1
17. On a number line, is to the of zero (0).
2
4 is to the of zero (0).
18. On a number line,
–1 3
is 1
19. than .
2 5
–3
20. is than 0.
5
–16 and 20
21. represent rational numbers.
24 –16
–27 and –3
22. represent rational numbers.
45 5
2
23. Additive inverse of is .
3
–3 2
24.  = .
5 5
–5 –1
25.  = .
6 6
26. 3  –2 
4  3= .
 
27. –5  –3 
3   5 = .
 

28. –6

7 42

29. 1 6
2
–2 7
30. – = .
9 9

RATIONAL NUMBERS 245

 UNIT
In questions 31 to 35, fill in the boxes with the correct symbol >,< or =.
7 8
31. #
–8 9
3 –5
32. #
7 6
5 8
33. #
6 4
–9 4
34. #
7 –7
8 2
35. #
8 2
36. The reciprocal of does not exist.
37. The reciprocal of 1 is .
38. –3  –7 
7   3 = .
 
39.  –5 
0  = .
6
 
40.  –5 
0   = .
6
 
41.   –2   1 .
5
 
42. The standard form of rational number –1 is .
a am
43. If m is a common divisor of a and b, then =
b
p
44. If p and q are positive integers, then is a rational number
q
p
and is a rational number.
–q
45. Two rational numbers are said to be equivalent or equal, if they have the same
form.
p
46. If is a rational number, then q cannot be .
q

246 EXEMPLAR
 MATHEMATIC
State whether the statements given in question 47 to 65 are True or False.
47. Every natural number is a rational number but every rational number need not be a
natural number.
48. Zero is a rational number.
49. Every integer is a rational number but every rational number need not be an
integer.
50. Every negative integer is not a negative rational number.
p
51. If is a rational number and m is a non-zero integer, then
q
p pm
=
q qm
p
52. If is a rational number and m is a non-zero common divisor of
q
p pm
p and q, then = .
q qm
53. In a rational number, denominator always has to be a non-zero inte- ger.
p pm
54. If is a rational number and m is a non-zero integer, then is
q qm
p
a rational number not equivalent to .
q
55. Sum of two rational numbers is always a rational number.
56. All decimal numbers are also rational numbers.
57. The quotient of two rationals is always a rational number.
58. Every fraction is a rational number.
59. Two rationals with different numerators can never be equal.
60. 8 can be written as a rational number with any integer as denomi- nator.
4 2
61. is equivalent to .
6 3
–3
62. The rational number lies to the right of zero on the number line.
4

63. The rational numbers –12 and –7 are on the opposite sides of zero
–5 17
on the number line.

RATIONAL NUMBERS 247

 UNIT
64. Every rational number is a whole number.
65. Zero is the smallest rational number.
66. Match the following:
Column I Column II
a a –a
(i) 
b b (a)
a c b
(ii) 
b d (b) –1
a
(iii)  (–1) (c) 1
b
bc
(iv) a –a
b b (d)
ad
b d ad
(v)  (e)
a   bc
c 
67. Write each of the following rational numbers with positive denomi-
5 15 –17
nators: , , .
–8 –28 –13
3
68. Express as a rational number with denominator:
4
(i) 36 (ii) – 80
69. Reduce each of the following rational numbers in its lowest form:

(i) – 60 (ii) 91
72 – 364
70. Express each of the following rational numbers in its standard form:

(i) – 12 (ii) 14 (iii) –15 (iv) 299

– 30 – 49 35 – 161
–8 32
71. Are the rational numbers and equivalent? Give reason.
28 –112
–7 5 2 –1 –3 in ascending order.
72. Arrange the rational numbers ,
, , ,
10 –8 –3 4 5
73. Represent the following rational numbers on a number line:
3 –7 22 .
8 , 3 , –6

RATIONAL NUMBERS
 MATHEMATIC
–5 x
74. If = , find the value of x.
7 28
75. Give three rational numbers equivalent to:
(i) –3 (ii) 7
4 11
76. Write the next three rational numbers to complete the pattern:
4 8 12 16
(i) , , ,
5 –10 –15 –20 , , , .

(ii) –8 , –16 , –24 , –32 , , , .

7 14 21 28
5 7
77. List four rational numbers between and .
7 8
78. Find the sum of

2 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
8 3 7 –4
(i) and (ii) and
13 11 3 3
79. Solve:

(i) 29 30 (ii) 5 – –8
–
4 7 13 26
80. Find the product of:
–4 –5 –22 –21
(i) and (ii) 11 and 11
5 12
81. Simplify:
–14 13 –7 –13 34 (ii) 6 × 3 – 1 × 3
(i) 13 × + × + ×
11 5 11 5 11 5 5 7 5 7
82. Simplify:
 1
3  21  
(i) 7  –55 (ii) 1  –
 
2
   
83. Which is greater in the following?
3 7
(i) , 5 1
4 8 ( –3 ,3
7 9
84. Write a rational number in which the numerator is less than ‘–7 × 11’ and the
denominator is greater than ‘12 + 4’.
1 –3
85. If x = and y = , then
10 8
evaluate x + y, x – y, x × y and x  y.

RATIONAL NUMBERS
MATHEMATIC
86. Find the reciprocal of the following:
20 4
(i)  1 1   1 (ii) 
   
   
2 4 2 51 91

3 
(iii) –4 (iv)  –5 12   2
 – –3 
13 65  15    9 
87. Complete the following table by finding the sums:

1 4 5
 9 11 6
2
3
5 39
4 44
1
3

88. Write each of the following numbers in the form are p

integers: , where p and q
q
(a) six-eighths
(b) three and half
(c) opposite of 1
(d) one-fourth
(e) zero
(f) opposite of three-fifths

89. If p = m × t and q = n × t, then p

q

90. Given that p r

and are two rational numbers with different
q s
denominators and both of them are in standard form. To compare these rational
numbers we say that:

(a) < , if p × s < r × q

250 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
p r
(b) = , if 
q s

(c) > , if p × s > r × q

91. In each of the following cases, write the rational number whose numerator and
denominator are respectively as under:
(a) 5 – 39 and 54 – 6
(b) (–4) × 6 and 8  2
(c) 35  (–7) and 35 –18
(d) 25 + 15 and 81  40
92. Write the following as rational numbers in their standard forms:
3
(a) 35% (b) 1.2 (c) –6
(d) 240  (– 840) (e) 115  207 7
93. Find a rational number exactly halfway between: (a)
4 5 7
x  1 , y  and1 z  1,find :
1 and 5 and 7 1 1
94. Taking3 (c) (d) and
39 (b) and 918
12 13 9 15 12
6
(a) the rational number which when added to x gives y.
(b) the rational number which subtracted from y gives z.
(c) the rational number which when added to z gives us x.
(d) the rational number which when multiplied by y to get x.
(e) the reciprocal of x + y.
(f) the sum of reciprocals of x and y.
(g) (x  y) × z (h) (x – y) + z
(i) x + (y + z) (j) x  (y  z)
(k) x – (y + z)
–1
95. What should be added to to obtain the nearest natural number? 2
–2
96. What should be subtracted from to obtain the nearest integer?
3
–5
97. What should be multiplied with to obtain the nearest integer? 8
1
98. What should be divided by to obtain the greatest negative integer?
2

RATIONAL NUMBERS
MATHEMATIC
99. From a rope 68 m long, pieces of equal size are cut. If length of one 1
piece is 4 m, find the number of such pieces.
4
100. If 12 shirts of equal size can be prepared from 27m cloth, what is length of cloth
required for each shirt?
101. Insert 3 equivalent rational numbers between
–1 1
(i) and (ii) 0 and –10
2 5
102. Put the (), wherever applicable
Number Natural Whole Integer Fraction Rational
Number Number Number
(a) – 114
19
(b)
27
623
(c)
1
3
(d) –19
4
73
(e)
71
(f) 0

103. ‘a’ and ‘b’ are two different numbers taken from the numbers 1 – 50.
ab
What is the largest value that can have? What is the largest
a
ab b
value that can have?
a
b
104. 150 students are studying English, Maths or both. 62 per cent of the students are
studying English and 68 per cent are studying Maths. How many students are
studying both?

252 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT
2
105. A body floats of its volume above the surface. What is the ratio of
9
the body submerged volume to its exposed volume? Re-write it as a rational number.

Find the odd one out of the following and give reason.

106. (a) 4 3 (b) 3 2

3 4 2  3
1 1 3
(c) 2 (d)
2 3 1

107. (a) 4 16

(b)
9 36
20 28
(c) (d)
45 63

108. (a) 4 7
3 (b)
6
(c) 8
10
(d)
3 7

109. (a) 3 9
(b) 15
7
24
(c) (d) 35
20 25

110. What’s the Error? Chhaya simplified a rational number in this

25 5
manner  . What error did the student make?
30 6

RATIONAL NUMBERS 253

MATHEMATIC

(D)Applications

1. Moving from start to finish by going from smaller to bigger rational numbers.
Start

2. Replace ‘*’ by inserting an appropriate rational number between the given

rational numbers.

254 EXEMPLAR
 UNIT

3. Three monkeys are climbing upstairs. They can only move ahead if they eat a
banana with the common factor of their numerator and denominator on it. Which
of the three monkeys will be able to reach till the end?

4. Crossword Puzzle
Solve the given crossword and then fill up the given boxes. Clues are given below for
across as well as downward filling. Also, for across and down clues. clue number is
written at the corner of boxes. Answers of clues have to be filled in their respective
boxes.

Down 1: 2 5 are numbers.

3 and 4
a a
Down 2: The inverse of is  .
f f
Down 3: The addition and multiplication of whole numbers, integers and rational
numbers is
1
Down 4: Since, is not defined, hence 0 has no .
0

RATIONAL NUMBERS 255

MATHEMATIC

Down 5: Reciprocal is also known as multiplicative .

Down 6 : The number line extends on both the sides.
Down 7: The of two integers may not lead to the formation of
another integer.
Down 8: The multiplication of a number by its reciprocal gives .
Across 1: There are rational numbers between two integers.
Across 2: The multiplication of rational numbers is
commutative and .
Across 3: The addition and of two whole numbers lead to the
formation of another whole number.
Across 4: All the positive integers excluding 0 are known as
numbers.
Across 5: For any rational number a; a  0 is .
Across 6: Rational numbers can be represented on a line.

256 EXEMPLAR