# Rational and Irrational Numbers

Definition of Rational and Irrational Numbers

• Rational Numbers can be written as a ratio that compares two numbers or quantities, giving a simple fraction or mixed fraction p/q. These include integers or decimals terminating (finite) or recurring (repeating patterns). The denominator ‘q’ is a natural number, i.e., non-zero.
• Irrational Numbers cannot be written as a ratio. In simple words, irrational numbers include numbers that cannot be simplified further to fraction with natural numbers and integers. The decimal of irrational numbers, if expanded, give neither finite nor recurring decimals. These include surds and unique numbers like π (pi). Surds are non-perfect squares or cubes that cannot be simplified and remove the square or cube roots. ‘pi’ is the most common irrational number.

Below is the figure representing the Venn diagram of rational and irrational numbers.

Figure 1 (heading: Rational and Irrational Numbers, filename: Rational and Irrational Numbers)

We cannot make a list of rational and irrational numbers since both have an infinite range. Some examples are given below.

## Examples of Rational and Irrational Numbers

### Examples of Rational Numbers

Common examples of rational numbers are:

1. 6; it can be written as 6/1 where 6 and 1 are integers
2. 0.125; it can be written as 1/8 or 125/1000
3. √81; it can be simplified further to 9 or 9/1
4. 5.232323…, or 0.111; these are recurring decimals as they are repeated in patterns

### Examples of Irrational Numbers

Common examples of irrational numbers are:

1. 1/0; denominator is zero
2. π; its value is 3.142, non-terminating and non-recurring
3. √99; its value is 9.94987.. and it cannot be simplified further

## Rational Numbers vs Irrational Numbers

While discussing about rational and irrational numbers, we need to compare to find the how the both terms mathematically differ from each other.

Below are the differences between rational and irrational numbers in a table.

### Difference Between Rational and Irrational Numbers

Now, let us learn about identifying rational and irrational numbers through some examples.

## Solved Examples

identify the rational and irrational numbers from the given set – 1.36591237, 5/8, 0.36, 0.19755683…, 0.7711, and 1/36

Solution:

As we know,
Rational numbers are finite or recurring and irrational numbers are infinite or non-recurring,
1.36591237…  ⇒   irrational
– 5/8  = 0.625 ⇒   rational
0.04 = 1/25 ⇒   rational
0.19755683… ⇒  irrational
– 0.7711 ⇒   rational
1/36 = 0.0277777777777778; ⇒   rational

## FAQs

Q1. Can the product of two irrational numbers be rational?

Ans. YES. The product of two irrational numbers may or may not be rational. For example √3 × √3 = 3; 3 is a rational number.