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

See Examples For:

rational number

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

In your own words, explain the difference between a rational number and an irrational number.

From Textbooks ● May 6, 2020

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

From Textbooks ● Apr. 22, 2020

This extension will ultimately allow us to differentiate xq, where q is any rational number.

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