57.2k views
4 votes
what is the difference between an irrational and a rational number? Can a number be both irrational and rational? Explain.

what is the difference between an irrational and a rational number? Can a number be-example-1
User Poko
by
7.6k points

2 Answers

5 votes

Answer:

Sample Response: A rational number can be expressed as a whole number, a fraction, or decimal that has either terminating or repeating digits. A square root of a perfect square is rational. If it is none of these, then the number is irrational.

Explanation:

User Ginpei
by
7.7k points
2 votes

An irrational number is one that has no defined ending. EVER. Meaning that as far as we calculate, there will always be infinite more numbers extending away. A rational number is one that has a defined ending, or at least one that we can see. There are two main types: a repeating decimal, or a terminating decimal. An example of a repeating decimal would be 2/3, or 0.6666666 repeating. This number goes on forever, but we know what each number is, so that's okay. An example of a terminating decimal is one that just...ends, such as 1/2, which in decimal form is just 0.5.

Hope this helped :)

User Brandonbanks
by
7.0k points