rational number

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. a number that can be expressed exactly by a ratio of two integers.

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rational number British  

noun

1. any real number of the form a / b , where a and b are integers and b is not zero, as 7 or 7/3

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rational number Scientific  

1. A number that can be expressed as an integer or a quotient of integers. For example, 2, −5, and 1/2 are rational numbers.

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Etymology

Origin of rational number

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

If the two new arrangements contained repeating patterns, the length of their translation vectors should have been related to each other—specifically, their ratio should have been a rational number.

From Scientific American • Apr. 10, 2023

When we rationalize the denominator, we write an equivalent fraction with a rational number in the denominator.

From Textbooks • Apr. 22, 2020

If x is a rational number, then x = p/q, where p and q are integers and bx = bp/q = qbp.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

In Table 1.11, we list some rational numbers approaching 2, and the values of 2 x for each rational number x are presented as well.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

Go on and on to infinity; since every rational number is on the seating chart, every rational number will eventually be covered by a carpet.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife