is -11 a rational number

Guri Bee

less than a minute read

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17-10-2024

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Is -11 a Rational Number? Unraveling the Mystery

The world of numbers can be perplexing, especially when you encounter concepts like rational numbers. But fear not! Let's delve into the definition and break down why -11 fits the bill.

What are Rational Numbers?

A rational number is any number that can be expressed as a fraction, where the numerator and denominator are both integers and the denominator is not zero. In simpler terms, it's any number you can write as a/b, where 'a' and 'b' are whole numbers (positive, negative, or zero) and 'b' isn't zero.

Examples of Rational Numbers:

• 1/2
• 3/4
• -5/2
• 7
• 0

Why is -11 a Rational Number?

You might be wondering, "Where's the fraction?". The key is that any integer can be expressed as a fraction! For example, 7 can be written as 7/1.

Therefore, -11 can also be written as a fraction: -11/1. This meets the criteria of a rational number:

• -11 is an integer (whole number).
• 1 is an integer (whole number).
• The denominator 1 is not zero.

Practical Examples:

• Imagine dividing a pizza into 11 slices. If you eat 11 slices, you've eaten the entire pizza, which can be represented as -11/1 (negative representing eating it all).
• On a number line, -11 is clearly a distinct point, demonstrating its rationality.

To summarize:

-11 is a rational number because it can be expressed as a fraction, specifically -11/1. It's a simple concept with real-world applications that help us understand the structure and relationships within the number system.