7th Grade · The Number System

Rational Number

7.EE.B.3

Definition

Any number that can be expressed as the ratio p/q where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0. Includes all fractions, integers, and terminating and repeating decimals.

Examples

  • 0.25 = 1/4 and 0.333... = 1/3 are rational.
  • Pi (3.14159...) and the square root of 2 are NOT rational — they never terminate or repeat.

Key rule

If it can be written as p/q, it is rational.

Memory hook

Ratio of two integers = rational.