The Set of Real
Numbers
Learn about It!
1 Set of Natural Numbers (or Counting Numbers)
these are numbers that naturally occur to us, such as the numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on;
denoted by
Examples:
The number 109 is included in the set of natural numbers.
The number 0 is not included in the set of natural numbers
Learn about It!
2 Set of Whole Numbers
includes zero and the natural numbers; denoted by
Examples:
The numbers 0, 28, 64, 99, and 130 are included in the set of
whole numbers.
The numbers , , , and 3.7 are not included in the set of whole
numbers.
Learn about It!
3 Set of Integers
includes the natural numbers, zero, and the negatives of natural numbers; denoted by
The set of positive integers is denoted by while that of negative
integers by .
Learn about It!
3 Set of Integers
includes the natural numbers, zero, and the negatives of natural numbers; denoted by
Examples:
The numbers , , 0, 10, 18, and 36 are included in the set of
integers.
The numbers , , , and 2.4 are not included in the set of integers.
Learn about It!
4 Set of Rational Numbers
includes numbers that can be written in the form , where and are integers, and is not
equal to ; denoted by
Examples:
The numbers , , 13, , and 1.25 are included in the set of rational
numbers.
The number is not included in the set of rational numbers.
Learn about It!
5 Set of Irrational Numbers
includes numbers that cannot be expressed as ratio of integers; denoted by
Examples:
The numbers , , and are included in the set of irrational
numbers.
The numbers , , and 0 are not included in the set of irrational
numbers.
Learn about It!
6 Set of Real Numbers
includes rational and irrational numbers; denoted by
Examples:
The numbers , 0, 36, , , 0.222, , and are real numbers.
The number is not a real number.
Learn about It!
6 Set of Real Numbers
includes rational and irrational numbers; denoted by
Try It!
Example 1: Determine the subsets of real numbers that contain
0.0005.
Try It!
Example 1: Determine the subsets of real numbers that contain
0.0005.
Solution:
The number 0.0005 is a rational number since it can be
expressed as a quotient of two integers, that is,
.
Thus, it is an element of the set of rational numbers .
Try It!
Example 2: What is ∪ ?
Try It!
Example 2: What is ∪ ?
Solution:
is the set of negative integers while is the set of whole
numbers, which contains the set of positive integers and zero.
Thus, combined as one set, the union of negative integers and
whole numbers makes up the set of integers. In symbols,
Let’s Practice!
Individual Practice:
1. Is 1.45 included in ? Why?
2. To which subsets of real numbers does belong?
Let’s Practice!
Group Practice: To be done in pairs.
Your group is having a discussion on whether is an integer.
What should be the correct answer? Explain.
Key Points
1 Set of Natural Numbers (or Counting Numbers)
these are numbers that naturally occur to us, such as the numbers 1, 2, 3, and so on;
denoted by
2 Set of Whole Numbers
includes zero and the natural numbers; denoted by
3 Set of Integers
includes the natural numbers, zero, and the negatives of natural numbers; denoted by
Key Points
4 Set of Rational Numbers
includes numbers that can be written in the form , where and are integers, and is not
equal to ; denoted by
5 Set of Irrational Numbers
includes numbers that cannot be expressed as ratio of integers; denoted by
6 Set of Real Numbers
includes rational and irrational numbers; denoted by
