Real numbers consist of any number that can be plotted on a number line. They can be positive, negative, integers, rational, irrational, roots, repeating decimals, non-repeating decimals, and terminating decimals.
Things to Know
Rational number- any number that can be expressed as the quotient a/b of two integers, with the denominator b not equal to zero. Any integer is a rational number.
Irrational number- any real number which cannot be expressed as a fraction p/q, where p and q are integers, with q non-zero and is therefore not a rational number. An irrational number cannot be written as a simple fraction. Most commonly used irrational numbers are e and pi.
Repeating decimal- any fraction, such as 1/3, that has a continuously repeating decimal. We can represent a repeating decimal by placing a bar above the last written number or by placing 3 periods (...) after the last digit.
Non-repeating decimal- any number, such as pi, that never repeats itself after the decimal. Irrational numbers are good examples of a non-repeating decimal.
Terminating decimal- any decimal that has an end. Some examples of a terminating decimal are: .75, 3.28, .6, etc.
These are a few websites that will help in understanding real numbers and other terms mentioned above.
Real Numbers- http://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/real-numbers.html
Terminating Decimal- http://www.icoachmath.com/sitemap/terminating_decimal.html
Rational Numbers- http://www.mathsisfun.com/rational-numbers.html
