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Is the following number irrational?
-8.7

Is the following number irrational? -8.7-example-1
User Marilee
by
6.9k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

No.

Explanation:

Rational numbers are any of the following:

  • Integers (positive whole numbers, negative whole numbers, or zero).
  • Fractions e.g. 3/4
  • Terminating (with an end) or repeating decimals e.g. 0.2 or 0.333333... or 0.343434...

Irrational numbers are thus defined as:

  • Non-terminating (unending), non-repeating decimal numbers. e.g. π, surds (
    √(2) ).

This means that -8.7 is not irrational, as it is not an unending, non-repeating number: an easy way to remember how to answer this is to look at whether the number has been expressed in decimal form if it has (unless you have been told that it has been rounded) it must be rational, as it can be written as a decimal number.

User Bill Johnston
by
6.2k points
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