Posted by MathBard on October 28, 2002 at 22:26:21:
In Reply to: help!!!!!-ratoinal numbers (pre-algebra) posted by chellechic on October 28, 2002 at 20:37:14:
: i need help obviously!!! i just don't get rational numbers!
Can you be more specific? That is an extremely broad topic!!!
Here are a few things that might help until then.
Basically, a rational number is a number that is NOT an irrational number. I KNOW... ...DUH!!
On Pre_algebra level, you really only need to know two kinds of irrational numbers; 1) a fraction with 0 as the denominator. 2) a non-terminating decimal--which should not be confused with a repeating decimals. Repeaters repeat(the same numbers in a redundant pattern)!
So, a rational numbers is ALMOST everything else.
The mathnerds that congregate here will know exceptions to this... but they MIGHT not interject them here because they are racing each other to arrange their balls into 4 rows that make a difference!!!!
one more tip... when a Pre-algebra textbook mentions rational numbers, It is usually referring to fractions and decimals. Even though rational numbers include intergers and stuff!!
MB