THE

REAL NUMBER
SYSTEM
by : Mr. Xandro Nieto

Real Numbers
R
Rational Numbers
Q
-numbers that can be represented as
quotient of two integers, such that the
divisor is not equal to zero.
- the symbol Q is used to denote Quotient.
Examples are:
5 (quotient of 5 & 1 or 10 & 2)
1.25 (quotient of 5 & 4 or 10 & 8)
7.5 (quotient of 15 & 2 or 30 & 4 )
1.33 (quotient of 1 & 3 or 3 & 9)
1.727272 (quotient of 19 & 11)
- has terminating decimals
like 5, 1.25, and 7.5
- has non-terminating, but repeating
decimals
like 1.33 and 1.727272
which may be written as 1.3 or 1.72

Irrational Numbers
Q or H
- the symbol Q is used to denote
complement of Q.
- numbers that are not rational can not be
represented as quotient of two integers
- has non-terminating, AND NON-repeating
decimals
Examples are:
= 3.141592654.
= 1.414213562
= 0.6989700043

whole numbers
W
positive
integers
Z+ or N

Integers
Z
(the symbol Z is used
because it came from the
German term, Zahlen,
which means numbers)
- has

no decimals

- also known as the

Natural numbers N or
the counting
numbers
Examples are:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5

zero
0

Fractions
- rational numbers
which are not
integers
- may be expressed
in decimals

negative
integers
Z

Surds
-roots which can not be exactly evaluated
Examples are:

peculiar numbers
- special numbers which are held constant
Examples are: and e

special logarithms
- some values based from the logarithmic
function
Examples are: log 5, log 3, ln 3

Special Sets in Real Numbers

N0=W

When all the natural numbers N and zero 0 are combined, the set

Z Z = Z*

When all the positive integers Z+ and negative integers Z

digits

is called whole

numbers, W

are combined, the set is called as directed

numbers, Z*

A proper subset of the whole numbers, consisting of exactly 10 elements.

Those elements are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 only.

NOTE THAT:
NWZQR

Try this:
Identify whether the given is a rational number (Q) or an
irrational number (Q).
Q
Stick to the definition that:
Rational numbers have terminating decimals. If non-terminating, decimals must be repeating.
Whereas, irrational numbers have non-terminating and non-repeating decimals.

1) 2.56
2) 2.7512
3) 3.14

Rational. 2.56 has terminating decimal. The number terminated at 6 (the last digit).
Irrational. 2.7512 has non-terminating and non-repeating decimals.

Have you
Rational.
identified,
which
are
Rational.
rational
and
are
Irrational.
irrational?
Rational.

3.14 has terminating decimal. The number terminated at 4 (the last

digit). Dont be confused with , and 3.14.

= 3.14151927, not 3.14. 3.14 is just an approximation of pi.

Though 3.141414 is non-terminating, it is repeating.

4) 3.141414.
5) 3.1415927

14
6) 3 .
100

Without a doubt, this is .

Of course, this is a fraction a quotient of 314 and 100, just

expressed as mixed number.

Challenging Statements
Identify whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Irrational numbers have exact

place on the real number line.
Think
carefully!
So
is
it
true
FALSE! Since irrational numbersorare false?
endless, divisions of
units will be endless as well. You may place , for example,
somewhere between 3.10 and 3.15 but not exactly at 3.14151927

Challenging Statements
Identify whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE.

All irrational numbers may be

approximated
by
rational
Heres another one.
numbers.
TRUE! Any irrational number may be rounded-off. As we
know, rounded-off value are approximations of the true value.
SoThink
is it true
or false?
carefully!
Take for example the value of .
= 3.1415927.
But is approximately 3.14
3.1415927 is irrational, and 3.14 is rational.

Challenging Statements
Identify whether each statement is TRUE or FALSE.

Any irrational number,

multiplied by any irrational
Last
one.
number, the result is always an
irrational number.
FALSE!
Not always Take an irrational number. Take a
Hmmm.
Whats
your
answer?
So
is
it
true
or
false?
surd (square root of 2, for example). Then multiply it to itself. Is the
result, still, an irrational number?

Please take into consideration these

Properties of Real Numbers
Closure Property
- any real number, added or multiplied to another
real number, the result is always a real number.
Just take any real number, then add it to another one.
Then take a real number again, multiply it to another real number.
The result will always be an element of real numbers. TRUST ME!

Please take into consideration these

Properties of Real Numbers
Commutative Property (a + b = b + a)
-When two real numbers are being added or
multiplied, the order is immaterial.
Simply, the order is NOT IMPORTANT!
Example, 3 + 5 = 5 + 3
2 9 = 9 2

Please take into consideration these

Properties of Real Numbers
Associative Property
(a + (b + c) = ((a + b) + c)
(a (b c) = ((a b) c)
- Groupings are not important as well, for addition
and multiplication.
Example: 3 + (5 + 2) = (3 + 5) + 2
2 (4 9) = (2 4) 9

Please take into consideration these

Properties of Real Numbers
Identity Property
for addition a + 0 = a
- any number added to zero, maintains its value.
Example: 6 + 0 =6

for multiplication a 1 = a
- any number multiplied to 1, maintains its value.
Example: 7 1 = 7
That is why, 0 is called as the additive

identity and

1 is called as the multiplicative identity.

Please take into consideration these

Properties of Real Numbers
Inverse Property
for addition a + ( a) = 0
- any number added to its negative, will result to the
additive identity (0).
Example: 6 + (-6) = 0

for multiplication a (1/a) = 1

- any number multiplied to its reciprocal, will result to
the multiplicative identity (1).
Example: 7 (1/7) = 1
That is why, negative is called as the additive

inverse and

reciprocal is called as the multiplicative inverse.

Please take into consideration these

Properties of Real Numbers
Distributive Property
a(b + c) = ab + ac
Example: 6 ( 3 + 2 ) = 6(3) + 6(2)

HOMEWORK
You may do the online Assignment, entitled
SETS AND REAL NUMBERS found on the left
panel of our course site.