There is a massive difference between a fraction and a rational number. The concept of “fractional numbers” and “rational numbers” are closely related but are different in various aspects. It should be noted that “a fractional number is always a rational number, but a rational number may or may not be a fractional number”.
Definition of Fraction and Rational Numbers
A fraction is any number of the form a/b where both “a” and “b” are whole numbers and b≠0. On the other hand, a rational number is a number which is in the form of p/q where both “p” and “q” are integers and q≠0.
Thus, a fraction is written in the form of m/n, where n is not 0 and m & n are whole (or natural numbers). For example, 12/23, 10/32, 12/10, and 4/21. A rational number can also be written in the form of a/b, where b is not 0 and a & b are integers. For example, 15/7, -18/13, 3/-7, -6/-12.
What Is the Difference between Fraction and Rational Number?
S.No. | Fraction | Rational Numbers |
1. | Written in the form of a/b, where a and b are whole numbers, and b≠0 | Written in the form of p/q, where p and q are integers, and q≠0 |
2. | All fractional numbers are rational | All rational numbers are not fractions. |
3. | ⅓, ¼, ⅛, etc. | 11/2, 3/-4, etc. |
4 | Note: Both are real numbers |
Why Every Fraction Is a Rational Number but not Vice Versa?
All fractions can be termed as rational numbers; however, all rational numbers cannot be termed as fractions. Only those rational numbers in which ‘p’ and ‘q’ are positive integers are termed fractions. Let a/b be any fraction. Now, a and b are natural numbers. Since all natural numbers are also integers, a and b are also integers. Thus, the fraction a/b is the quotient of 2 integers such that b ≠ 0. Hence, a/b is a rational number. One of the examples in which a number is a rational number but not a fraction is:
- Consider the fraction 12/-32. It is a rational number but not a fraction because its denominator (n) is not a natural number.
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Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Q1
Is fraction also a rational number?
All fractions are rational numbers but it is not necessary that all rational numbers are fractions.
Q2
What is the difference between a fractional number and a rational number?
A fraction is expressed in the form of the ratio of whole numbers, a/b and b≠0.
A rational number is also expressed in the form of a ratio, p/q, where the numerator and denominator are integers and q≠0.
Q3
What are the examples of rational numbers and fraction?
The examples of rational numbers are 1/4, 9/-2, 12/-8, etc.
The examples of fractions are 1/2, 1/8, 6/4, etc.
Q4
Give examples of proper fraction and improper fraction.
Proper fractions are the one which has denominator greater than the numerator. For example, 1/2, 1/3, 1/4, 2/3, 3/4, etc. An improper fraction is one which has a numerator greater than the denominator, for example, 3/2, 5/4, 7/6, etc.
FAQs
Fractions are the ratio of two whole numbers whereas rational numbers are the ratio of two integers with a non-zero denominator. For example, 18/23 is a fraction whereas - 12/23 is a rational number. Here it is also important to note that all fractions are rational numbers, but all rational numbers are not fractions.
What is the difference between fraction and rational number? ›
A fraction is any number of the form a/b where both “a” and “b” are whole numbers and b≠0. On the other hand, a rational number is a number which is in the form of p/q where both “p” and “q” are integers and q≠0.
How is a rational number different from a rational number? ›
A rational number includes any whole number, fraction, or decimal that ends or repeats. An irrational number is any number that cannot be turned into a fraction, so any number that does not fit the definition of a rational number.
What is the difference between a fraction and a rational number Quora? ›
What is the difference between a fraction and a rational number? A rational number is a fraction where the top and bottom number (numerator and denominator) are integers, a general fraction can have real or complex number and even algebraic expressions as numerator or denominator.
What is the difference between rational and irrational numbers in simple terms? ›
What are rational and irrational numbers? Rational numbers are the numbers that can be expressed in the form of a ratio (i.e., P/Q and Q≠0) and irrational numbers cannot be expressed as a fraction. But both the numbers are real numbers and can be represented in a number line.
Is rational the same as fraction? ›
Fractions are the ratio of two whole numbers whereas rational numbers are the ratio of two integers with a non-zero denominator. For example, 18/23 is a fraction whereas - 12/23 is a rational number. Here it is also important to note that all fractions are rational numbers, but all rational numbers are not fractions.
What is the difference between a rational number and a fraction brainly? ›
Answer. Rational numbers:If any number can be written in the form p/q where p,q belong to integers and q is not equal to zero,it is rational. Fractions:If any number can be written in the form p/q where p,q belong to whole numbers and q is not equal to zero.
What makes a fraction a rational number? ›
A rational number is any number that can be written as a fraction, where both the numerator (the top number) and the denominator (the bottom number) are integers, and the denominator is not equal to zero. In other words, a rational number can be expressed as p/q, where p and q are both integers and q ≠ 0.
What is an example of a rational number? ›
Any fraction with non-zero denominators is a rational number. Some of the examples of rational numbers are 1/2, 1/5, 3/4, and so on. The number “0” is also a rational number, as we can represent it in many forms such as 0/1, 0/2, 0/3, etc. But, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, etc. are not rational, since they give us infinite values.
How to check if a number is rational? ›
Answer: If a number can be written or can be converted to p/q form, where p and q are integers and q is a non-zero number, then it is said to be rational and if it cannot be written in this form, then it is irrational.
1/2.2 = Rational 3.3 = Rational 0.314 = Rational 7. 0.454545... = Rational √2/2 = Irrational √102 = Rational 8.