NATASHA TUTORIALS

RATIONAL NUMBERS
QUICK REVISION NOTES

Definition:
A rational number is any number that can be written in the form
𝑝
, where 𝑝, 𝑞 ∈ ℤ(Integers), 𝑞 ≠ 0
𝑞
2 7 5
Examples: 3 , − 4 , 0, 1

Operations on Rational Numbers

1. Addition:
Use LCM or cross-multiplication
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐
+ =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
2 3 4+3 7
Example: 5 + 10 = = 10
10

2. Subtraction:
Use LCM or cross-multiplication
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑑 − 𝑏𝑐
− =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
5 1 20−6 14 7
Example: − = = =
6 4 24 24 12

3. Multiplication:
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎𝑐
× =
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏𝑑
2 −5 −10 −5
Example: × = =
3 4 12 6

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
4. Division:
𝑎 𝑐 𝑎 𝑑
÷ = ×
𝑏 𝑑 𝑏 𝑐
3 2 3 5 15
Example: 4 ÷ 5 = 4 × 2 = 8

Identities and Inverses

Concept Symbolic Form
Example
Additive Identity 𝑎+0=𝑎 3 3
+0 =
5 5
Multiplicative Identity 𝑎×1=𝑎 −4 −4
×1=
7 7
Additive Inverse 𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0 3 3
+ (− ) = 0
4 4
1
Multiplicative Inverse 𝑎 × = 1, 𝑎 ≠ 0 2 5
𝑎 × =1
5 2

Properties of Rational Numbers

• Closure Property

o Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication: Closed

o Division: Not closed (when dividing by 0)
• Commutative Property

o Addition: 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑏 + 𝑎
o Multiplication: 𝑎 × 𝑏 = 𝑏 × 𝑎
o Subtraction/Division: Not commutative
• Associative Property

o Addition: (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐 = 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐)
o Multiplication: (𝑎 × 𝑏) × 𝑐 = 𝑎 × (𝑏 × 𝑐)
o Subtraction/Division: Not associative
• Distributive Property

𝑎 ⋅ (𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 + 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑐, 𝑎 ⋅ (𝑏 − 𝑐) = 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑏 − 𝑎 ⋅ 𝑐

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
Summary Table: Properties of Rational Numbers
Property Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division
Closure Yes Yes Yes No (if ÷0)
Commutativity Yes No Yes No
Associativity Yes No Yes No
Distributivity – – Over + and – –
Identity Exists 0 – 1 –
Inverse Exists Additive – Multiplicative –

PRACTICE QUESTIONS

Section A: Multiple Choice Questions (30 Questions)

1. Which of the following is a rational number?
a) √3 b) 3/7 c) π d) e

2. Which number should be multiplied with (–2/5) to get 1?

a) 5/2 b) –5/2 c) –2/5 d) –1/2

3. The standard form of –18/24 is:

a) –3/4 b) –6/8 c) –9/12 d) –12/16

4. Which of the following is not a property of rational numbers?

a) Associativity of addition
b) Commutativity of multiplication
c) Closure under division by 0
d) Closure under multiplication

5. The result of (–3/4) × (4/9) is:

a) –1/3 b) –12/36 c) –1/2 d) –3/9

6. The reciprocal of –7/10 is:

a) 10/7 b) –10/7 c) 7/10 d) –7/10

7. What is the sum of 3/8 and –5/8?

a) –2/8 b) 2/8 c) –1/4 d) –1/2

8. What is the product of 2/3 and (–3/4)?

a) –1/2 b) –6/12 c) –6/7 d) –5/6

9. A rational number when added to –5/7 gives 0. The number is:

a) 5/7 b) –5/7 c) 0 d) 2/7

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
10. What is 1 ÷ (–2/5)?
a) –5/2 b) –2/5 c) 5/2 d) –1/2

11. Which rational number lies between 1/4 and 1/2?

a) 1/6 b) 2/3 c) 3/8 d) 5/4

12. A number is multiplied by –3/5 to get 9/10. The number is:

a) –3/2 b) –3/4 c) –1/6 d) –3/10

13. Which rational number has no reciprocal?

a) 1 b) 0 c) –3/5 d) 5/3

14. The additive inverse of –4/9 is:

a) 4/9 b) –4/9 c) –1/4 d) 9/4

15. Which property is shown by: (–5/6 + 1/2) + 1/3 = –5/6 + (1/2 + 1/3)?
a) Commutativity b) Distributivity c) Associativity d) Identity

16. The simplified form of –36/48 is:

a) –3/4 b) –9/12 c) –4/3 d) –6/8

17. Which expression equals 0?

a) (–3/5) + (3/5)
b) (2/3) – (1/3)
c) (1/2) × 0
d) Both a and c

18. The result of multiplying any rational number by 0 is:

a) 1 b) 0 c) Undefined d) Reciprocal

19. Which property is used in: 1 × (a + b) = 1 × a + 1 × b?

a) Associative b) Distributive c) Commutative d) Identity

20. Which of the following is greater?

a) –3/7 b) –2/7 c) –5/7 d) –1

21. Which of the following rational numbers is in standard form?

a) –2/4 b) 6/8 c) –3/5 d) 9/15

22. 5/12 + (–11/12) equals:

a) –6/12 b) –1/2 c) –1/12 d) –5/6

23. What is the LCM of 3, 6, and 8?

a) 24 b) 48 c) 18 d) 36

24. Which of these lies between –1 and 0?

a) 2/3 b) –3/5 c) –4/3 d) 1/2

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
25. What number should be added to –2/5 to get 0?
a) –2/5 b) 2/5 c) 0 d) 5/2

26. If a rational number is greater than 0, then it is:

a) Negative b) Positive c) Zero d) None

27. (–2/3) – (1/3) equals:

a) –1 b) 1 c) –1/3 d) –2/6

28. (–5/6) × (–6/5) equals:

a) –1 b) 1 c) –30/36 d) 11/12

29. The lowest form of –6/8 is:

a) –3/4 b) –2/3 c) –5/6 d) –6/7

30. The mean of –1/2 and 1/3 is:

a) –1/6 b) –1/5 c) –1/12 d) –1/4

Section B: Fill in the Blanks (10 Questions)

1. The reciprocal of –4/7 is _______.
2. A rational number has no reciprocal if it is _______.
3. The product of (–3/5) and _______ gives 1.
4. The standard form of –20/25 is _______.
5. Rational numbers are _______ under subtraction.
6. The sum of 0 and any rational number is _______.
7. The result of dividing 7/9 by –1 is _______.
8. –2/3 × _______ = –1.
9. The number lying exactly between –1/2 and 1/2 is _______.
10. Rational numbers can be expressed in the form _______ where q ≠ 0.

Section C: True or False (10 Questions)

1. Zero is the multiplicative identity for rational numbers.
2. Rational numbers are closed under subtraction and multiplication.
3. The reciprocal of a rational number is always rational.
4. –4/5 and 4/–5 are equal.
5. (a × b) ÷ c = a × (b ÷ c) for all rational numbers.
6. Every integer is a rational number.
7. Division of rational numbers is not associative.
8. The sum of two rational numbers is always rational.
9. Rational numbers are not closed under division.
10. The mean of two rational numbers is always rational.

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
ANSWER KEY
Section A: MCQs
1. b 2. b 3. a 4. c 5. a 6. b 7. c 8. a 9. a 10. a
2. c 12. a 13. b 14. a 15. c 16. a 17. d 18. b 19. b 20. b
3. c 22. c 23. b 24. b 25. b 26. b 27. a 28. b 29. a 30. a
Section B: Fill in the Blanks
1. –7/4
2. 0
3. –5/3
4. –4/5
5. closed
6. the same rational number
7. –7/9
8. 3/2
9. 0
10. p/q
Section C: True or False
1. False
2. True
3. False
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. True
8. True
9. True
10. True

2 Marker Questions
⸻
3
1. Q: Write the additive inverse of 7.
A: Additive inverse means a number which when added to the given number gives 0.
3 3
+ (− ) = 0
7 7
3
Answer: − 7

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
⸻
−4 2
2. Q: Multiply: ×3
5
A:
−4 × 2 −8
=
5×3 15
−8
Answer: 15

⸻
3. Q: Is the product of two negative rational numbers positive or negative?
A: Negative × Negative = Positive
−1 −3 3
Example: 2 × 5 = 10
Answer: Positive
⸻
1 2
4. Q: Write a rational number between 2 and 3.
A: Convert to same denominator:
3 4 7
and → One rational number between them:
6 6 12
7
Answer: 12

⸻
5 −1
5. Q: Divide: 6 ÷ 2
A:
5 −2 −10 −5
×( )= =
6 1 6 3
−5
Answer: 3

⸻
2 4
6. Q: Find the value of: (3 − 5)
A: LCM = 15
10 12 −2
− =
15 15 15
−2
Answer: 15

⸻
−2 −3
7. Q: Multiply: ( 5 ) × ( 7 )
A:
6
(Negative × Negative = Positive)
35
6
Answer: 35

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
⸻
8. Q: Use distributive property:
3 5 1
×( + )
4 6 3
A:
3 10 + 2 3 12 3
×( )= × =
4 12 4 12 4
3
Answer:
4

⸻
−2 −3
9. Q: Which is greater: 5 or 4 ?
A: Convert to common denominator (LCM = 20):
−8/20 vs −15/20 → −8 > −15
−2
Answer: 5 is greater

⸻
−9 −9
10. Q: Find the additive inverse of and multiply with 11.
11
9
A: Additive inverse = 11
Multiply:
−9 9 −81
× =
11 11 121
−81
Answer: 121

⸻
11. Q: Use associativity to simplify:
−2 4 1
( + )+
3 5 15
A:
−10 + 12 1 2 1 3 1
+ = + = =
15 15 15 15 15 5
1
Answer: 5

⸻
12. Q: Check:
2 4 3 9
÷ = ÷ ?
3 9 2 4
A:
2 9 18 3
LHS: × = =
3 4 12 2
3 4 12 2
RHS: × = =
2 9 18 3
Not equal.
Answer: No, not equal; division is not commutative.

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
⸻
13. Q: Simplify:
−3 1 7
( − )+
8 4 8
A:
−3 2 7 −5 + 7 2 1
( − )+ = = =
8 8 8 8 8 4
1
Answer:
4

⸻
14. Q: Find:
2 −4 1
( + )÷
3 9 6
A:
6−4 1 2 12 4
÷ = ×6= =
9 6 9 9 3
4
Answer: 3

⸻
−3
15. Q: If 𝑥 = , evaluate: 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥
5
A:
9 −6 −30
𝑥2 = , 2𝑥 = =
25 5 25
9−30 −21
Add: =
25 25
−21
Answer: 25

3 Marker Questions
⸻
1. Add and simplify:
Q: Add the rational numbers:
−3 5 1
+ +
4 6 3
A:
LCM of 4, 6, 3 = 12
−9 10 4 5
+ + =
12 12 12 12
5
Answer:
12

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
2. Multiply and simplify:
Q: Find the product:
−2 3 −5
( )×( )×( )
3 5 4
A:
−2 × 3 × −5 30 1
= =
3×5×4 60 2
1
Answer:
2

⸻
3. Subtract and simplify:
4 −2 5
Q: Subtract the sum of 9 and 3 from 6

A:
First:
4 −2 4 6 −2
+( )= − =
9 3 9 9 9
Then:
5 −2 5 2 15 + 4 19
−( )= + = =
6 9 6 9 18 18
19
Answer: 18

⸻
4. Expression-Based:
2
Q: If 𝑥 = 3, evaluate:
3𝑥 − 2𝑥 2
A:
2 4 8
3𝑥 = 3 × = 2,𝑥 2 = , 2𝑥 2 =
3 9 9
8 18 − 8 10
3𝑥 − 2𝑥 2 = 2 − = =
9 9 9
10
Answer: 9

⸻
5. Relationship Among 3 Rational Numbers:
4 −2
Q: If the sum of three rational numbers is 0 and two of them are 5 and 3 , find the third number.

A:
Let third number = 𝑥
4 −2 12 − 10 2
+( )+𝑥 =0 ⇒ +𝑥=0⇒ +𝑥 =0
5 3 15 15

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
−2
⇒𝑥=
15
−2
Answer:
15

⸻
6. Commutative Property Check:
2 −5
Q: Verify that addition is commutative for 7 and 14 .

A:
2 −5 4 − 5 −1
+( )= =
7 14 14 14
−5 2 −5 + 4 −1
+ = =
14 7 14 14
Both equal
Answer: Verified; addition is commutative.
⸻
7. Associative Property Check:
Q: Check whether:
−1 1 1 −1 1 1
( + )+ = +( + )
3 2 6 3 2 6
A:
−1 1 −2+3 1 1 1 2 1
LHS: 3 + 2 = 6 = 6 , +6=6=3
6
1 1 3+1 4 2 −1 2 1
RHS: 2 + 6 = 6 = 6 = 3 , +3=3
3
Both sides equal
Answer: Verified
⸻
8. Problem Sum:
7 3
Q: Ram had 8 of a notebook. He used 4 of it. How much is left?

A:
7 3 7−6 1
− = =
8 4 8 8
1
Answer: 8 of notebook is left.

⸻
9. Tricky Division:
Q: Evaluate:
−3 2 −5
( ÷ )÷
4 5 8

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
A:
−3 2 −3 5 −15
Step 1: 4 ÷ 5 = 4 × 2 = 8
−15 −5 −15 8 120
Step 2: 8 ÷ = × −5 = =3
8 8 40
Answer: 3
⸻
10. Using Distributive Property:
Q: Evaluate using distributivity:
−2 5 1
×( + )
3 6 2
A:
−2 10 + 3 −2 13 −26 −13
×( )= × = =
3 12 3 12 36 18
−13
Answer: 18

⸻
11. Comparing Rational Numbers:
−3 −4
Q: Which is greater: 5 or 7 ?

A:
LCM = 35
−3 −21 −4 −20
= , =
5 35 7 35
−20 −21
⇒ >
35 35
−4
Answer: is greater
7

⸻
12. Find Mean of 3 Rational Numbers:
1 −2 5
Q: Find the mean of 2 , 3 , 6

A:
3−4+5 4 2
Sum = 6 = 6 = 3,
2 2
Mean = 3×3 = 9
2
Answer: 9

⸻
13. Rational Number Equation:
3 5
Q: If 𝑎 + 𝑏 = and 𝑎 = , find 𝑏.
4 6

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
A:
5 3 3 5 9 − 10 −1
+𝑏= ⇒𝑏= − = =
6 4 4 6 12 12
−1
Answer: 12
⸻
14. Use Rational Number Properties:
Q: Evaluate using properties:
3 −2 3 1
× + ×
4 3 4 2
A:
\left( \frac{-4 + 3}{6} \right) = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{-1}{6} = \frac{-3}{24} = \frac{-1}{8})
−1
Answer: 8

⸻
4 Marker Questions
⸻
−3 5
1. Find 7 rational numbers between and using the n-values method.
4 6
Solution:
Let 𝑛 = 7, so 𝑛 + 1 = 8
Convert to same denominator:
−3 −72 5 80
= , =
4 96 6 96
Insert numbers between:
−63 −54 −45 −36 −27 −18 −9
, , , , , ,
96 96 96 96 96 96 96
⸻
2. Simplify and solve:
7 −2 −4 1
( − )÷( + )
8 3 5 2
Solution:
7 2 −4 1 37 −3 37 −10 −370 −185
( + )÷( + )= ÷ = ⋅ = =
8 3 5 2 24 10 24 3 72 36
⸻
3. Word Problem:
3 5
A water tank is 4 full. After using 6 of the water, what fraction of the tank is still filled?
Solution:
5 3 5
Used = 6 × 4 = 8
3 5 1
Remaining = 4 − 8 = 8

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
⸻
2 7
4. Find five rational numbers between 9 and 12 using the division method.
Solution:
LCM = 36
2 8 7 21
= , =
9 36 12 36
9 11 13 17 19
Insert: 36 , 36 , 36 , 36 , 36

⸻
5. Problem:
−5 2 25
Find a rational number such that when it is multiplied by 6 , then divided by 3, the result is 36.
Solution:
Let 𝑥:
−5𝑥 3 25 25 ⋅ 12 −5
⋅ = ⇒𝑥= =
6 2 36 −540 9
⸻
6. Use properties to simplify:
−3 10 4 −7
( × + × )
5 9 7 4
Solution:
−30 −2 −5
+ (−1) = −1=
45 3 3
⸻
7. Word Problem:
3 2
Shalini used 4 of a box of flour for baking. She used 5 of what was left for cooking. How much
flour is left now?
Solution:
3 1
Flour used = 4, remaining = 4
2 1 1
Used in cooking = 5 × 4 = 10
1 1 3
Left now = 4 − 10 = 20

⸻
4 10
8. A rational number exceeds another by 9. If their sum is 9 , find the numbers.
Solution:
4
Let smaller = 𝑥, larger = 𝑥 + 9
4 10 1
2𝑥 + = ⇒𝑥=
9 9 3
7
Other = 9

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
⸻
9. Problem:
7 3
By what number should 8 be multiplied so that the product becomes the reciprocal of 10?
Solution:
7 10 80
⋅𝑥 = ⇒𝑥=
8 3 21
⸻
10. Verify associativity of multiplication for:
−2 9 5
, ,
3 10 6
Solution:
−2 9 5 −1
LHS = ⋅ ( ⋅ ) =
3 10 6 2
−2 9 5 −1
RHS = ( 3 ⋅ 10) ⋅ 6 = 2

⸻
4 −2
11. A rational number when divided by 5 gives 3 . Find the number.
Solution:
−2 4 −8
𝑥= ⋅ =
3 5 15
⸻
𝑝 𝑞
12. If 𝑞 is a rational number and 𝑝 is also a rational number, prove that both products and
reciprocals are rational. Use example.
Solution:
Let 𝑝 = 3, 𝑞 = 4:
3 4
⋅ = 1, and both are rational
4 3

⸻
13. Word Problem:
−3 1
The sum of two rational numbers is 4 and their difference is 6. Find the numbers.
Solution:
Let numbers be 𝑥 and 𝑦:
−3 1
𝑥+𝑦 = , 𝑥−𝑦 =
4 6
−3 1 −5 −5
Add: 2𝑥 = 4 + 6 = 12 ⇒ 𝑥 = 24
−3 −13
Then 𝑦 = −𝑥 =
4 24

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004

 NATASHA TUTORIALS
3 −5 7
14. Express the sum of 4 + + 8 in standard form.
6
Solution:
LCM = 24
18 − 20 + 21 19
=
24 24
⸻
−1
15. A rational number is such that when you subtract 2 from it and divide by 3, you get . Find
2
the number.
Solution:
𝑥 − 2 −1 1
= ⇒𝑥=
3 2 2
⸻

DEEPAK ISRANI 96870 40004