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Real
NumBeRs
AlgebraI
Study Guides
Real numbers are used to measure the quantity of things in life. Almost any number you can think of is most likely to be a real number. Real numbers can be broken down into different types of numbers such as rational and irrational numbers. They can be visualized using number lines and operated on using set symbols and operators. General guidelines and rules are created to work with real numbers.
Key Terms
Rational Number: Ratio of one integer to another:
Integer: A rational number where the denominator is equal to 1. Includes natural numbers, negative natural
numbers, and 0.
Natural Numbers: Counting numbers such as 1, 2, 3. Whole Numbers: All natural numbers and 0. Non-Integer: A rational number where the denominator is not equal to 1. Proper Fraction: Numerator is less than denominator. Represents a number less than one. Improper Fraction: Numerator is greater than denominator. Represents a number greater than 1. Equivalent Fractions: Two fractions that represent the same amount. Irrational Number: Number that cannot be expressed as a fraction, such as
or .
Symbols
Here are some common symbols used in algebra:
Symbols
Symbol + or or / or || = <, >, {} Meaning add subtract multiply divide square root, nth root absolute value equals not equal approximately equal less than, less than or equal to greater than, greater than or equal to set symbol an element of a set ( ), [ ] group symbols
Example: 2 +
=3 =5
Disclaimer:thisstudyguidewasnotcreatedtoreplace yourtextbookandisforclassroomorindividualuseonly.
4. Difference between two whole rational numbers is not always a positive number.
5. Quotient of
Example: Example:
This guide was created by Nicole Crawford, Jane Li, and Jin Yu. To learn more about the student authors, visit http://www.ck12.org/about/about-us/team/ interns.
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v1.1.9.2012
Basics
Exponents
of
Real
NumBeRs
coNt.
Algebra
22 of 3.
222 2 power of 5.
n
= 4 because 42 = 16 is called the radical sign When n=2, we usually write it the square root. When n=3, we call it the cube root. , not , and we call
x and n are variables, symbols that are used to represent a value. If n=2, we can also say x squared. If x=3, we say x cubed.
If the nth root cant be simplified (reduced) to a rational number without the radical sign ( ), the number is irrational.
Examples:
= 8, so it is a rational number.
cannot be reduced any further and is irrational. We can get an approximate value for irrational square roots by using the calculator. In decimal form, the number will look like an unending string of numbers.
Example: places.
A denominator equal to 1 is sometimes called the invisible denominator because it is not usually written out: .
Fraction bar: the line that separates the numerator and the denominator. The denominator b 0. A proper fraction represents a number less than one because a < b, while an improper fraction represents a number greater than one because a > b. A negative fraction is usually written with the negative sign to the left of the fraction
Example:
could equal
or
Improper fractions can be rewritten as an integer plus a proper fraction (mixed number).
Example:
Whenever we can write two fractions equal (=) to each other, we have equivalent fractions.
, so
and
A fraction can be converted into a decimal - just divide the numerator by the denominator.
If the numbers after the decimal point (.) never repeats and never ends, the number is irrational. Any number that cant be written as a fraction is irrational.
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Basics
Sets
of
Real
NumBeRs
AlgebraI
coNt.
Sets are used to define groups of elements. In math, sets can be used to define different types of numbers, such as even and odd numbers. Outside of math, sets can also be used for other elements such as sets of keys or sets of clothing. The different types of sets (as shown below) are used to classify the objects in the sets. We can list the elements (members) of a set inside the symbols { }. If A = {1, 2, 3}, then the numbers 1, 2, and 3 are elements of set A.
Numbers like 2.5, -3, and 7 are not elements of A. We can also write that 1 1 is an element in set A. If there are no elements in the set, we call it a null set or an empty set. Complement Set: all elements in a set that is not A A, meaning the number
If A is the group of whole numbers and B is the group of natural numbers, A \ B is 0 The order here matters! B \ A means the set of elements belonging to B only.
Denoted as A
Denoted as Ac
The union
of
rational numbers
and
irrational
B \ A is equal to Ac. If A is the group of whole numbers and B is the group of natural numbers, Ac is null (there are no elements in set B that is not also in A)
numbers is all real numbers. Intersection: the set of elements that is true for both A and B
Disjoint Sets: when sets A and B have no common elements. Rational and irrational numbers are disjoint sets.
Denoted as A
Notes
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