The number 8 is a rational number because it can be written as the fraction 8/1.Likewise, 3/4 is a rational number because it can be written as a fraction.Even a big, clunky fraction like 7,324,908/56,003,492 is rational, simply because it can be written as a fraction.
Every whole number is a rational number, because any whole number can be written as a fraction. For example, 4 can be written as 4/1, 65 can be written as 65/1, and 3,867 can be written as 3,867/1.
Ratio and Rates: A Video
Irrational Numbers
All numbers that are not rational are considered irrational. An irrational number can be written as a decimal, but not as a fraction. An irrational number has endless non-repeating digits to the right of the decimal point. Here are some irrational numbers: Although irrational numbers are not often used in daily life, they do exist on the number line. In fact, between 0 and 1 on the number line, there are an infinite number of irrational numbers!
