COLLEGE MATHEMATICS
THE SET OF REAL NUMBERS
MODULE 1-WEEK 1-LESSON 1.0
SET
A set is a group or collection of objects that are called members
or elements of the set. If every member of set B is also a
member of set A, then we say B is a subset of A and denote it as
B ⊂ A.
For example, the starting lineup on a baseball team is a subset of
the entire team. The set of natural numbers, {1, 2, 3, 4, …}, is a
subset of the set of whole numbers, {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …}, which is a
subset of the set of integers, {…, −4, −3, −2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …},
SET
which is a subset of the set of rational numbers, which is a subset
of the set of real numbers. The three dots, called an ellipsis,
indicate that the pattern continues indefinitely.
If a set has no elements, it is called the empty set, or null set,
and is denoted by the symbol Ø.
The set of real numbers consists of two main subsets: rational
and irrational numbers.
REAL NUMBER SYSTEM
Numbers which Numbers which
REAL NUMBER SYSTEM
REAL NUMBER SYSTEM
Please take note that:
• Every real number is either a rational number or an irrational
number.
• The real number system consists of the positive numbers, the
negative numbers, and zero.
REAL NUMBER LINE
The real number line is a graph used to represent the set of all
real numbers.
RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
A rational number is a number that can be expressed as a
quotient (ratio) of two integers, a/b, where the integer a is called
the numerator and the integer b is called the denominator and
where b ≠ 0.
Rational numbers include all integers or all fractions that are
ratios of integers. Note that any integer can be written as a ratio
whose denominator is equal to 1.
RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
In decimal form, the rational numbers are those that terminate or
are nonterminating with a repeated decimal pattern, which is
represented with an overbar. Those decimals that do not repeat
and do not terminate are irrational numbers. The numbers
are examples of real numbers,
where are rational numbers,
and are irrational numbers.
Credits to PJ Infante
RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL NUMBERS
Please take note that the ellipsis following the last decimal
digit denotes continuing in an irregular fashion, whereas the
absence of such dots to the right of the last decimal digit implies
that the decimal expansion terminates.
Example:
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LET’S HAVE SOME EXERCISES!
a. Is it true that all integers are rational numbers?
b. Let’s classify the following real numbers as rational or
irrational:
,
SOLUTION!
a. Yes! It is true that all integers are rational numbers.
b. rational:
irrational:
,
REFERENCES
Aufmann, R., Barker, C. & Nation, R. (2010). College Algebra
and Trigonometry (7th ed.). USA: Cengage Learning
Larson, R. (2022). Algebra and Trigonometry (11th ed.).
USA: Cengage Learning
Young, C. (2017). Algebra and Trigonometry (4th ed.). USA:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
End of Lesson 1.0
Credits to PJ Infante COLA JANE I. BAGUIO
