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Secondary 3 · Mathematics
Rational numbers · Numbers

Rational numbers

Before you start, make sure you know: Least common multiple (Secondary Year 2 (first cycle))
Before you start, make sure you know: Operations with rational numbers (Secondary Year 2 (first cycle))

Your phone shows 75% battery, at the corner store they sell you three quarters of a pound of cheese, and the bus going from Santo Domingo to Santiago has covered two thirds of the trip. All of these are fractions: numbers used to talk about parts. How do you compare them, place them and operate with them without getting tangled up? That is what you are going to master here.

What is a rational number?

A fraction $\frac{a}{b}$ has two parts: the denominator $b$ tells us how many equal parts we split the unit into, and the numerator $a$ tells us how many we take.

Circle divided into four equal parts with three of them shaded, pointing out the numerator 3 and the denominator 4 of the fraction three quarters. 3 4 ← numerator: the parts I take ← denominator: how many parts I split it into

The same fraction can be read in three ways:

  • Part of a whole: $\frac{3}{4}$ of a pizza is 3 slices of a pizza cut into 4.

  • Quotient: $\frac{3}{4} = 3 : 4 = 0.75$. That is why your battery at 75% is at $\frac{3}{4}$.

  • Operator: $\frac{3}{4}$ of 200 pesos is $200 \times \frac{3}{4} = 150$ pesos.

Integers are also rational: $5 = \frac{5}{1}$ and $-2 = \frac{-4}{2}$. And a fraction can be negative: $-\frac{3}{4} = \frac{-3}{4} = \frac{3}{-4}$ (the usual way is to put the sign in front).

Play with the numerator and the denominator. When the numerator is greater than the denominator, the fraction is worth more than one unit (improper fraction).

Decimals and fractions

Every rational number can be written as a decimal: divide the numerator by the denominator. The decimal can be:

  • Terminating: it ends, like $\frac{13}{4} = 3.25$.

  • Purely repeating: the repeating block starts right after the decimal point, like $7.111\ldots = 7.\widehat{1}$.

  • Mixed repeating: there are digits before the repeating block, like $5.0424242\ldots = 5.0\widehat{42}$.

A terminating decimal is turned into a fraction by putting the digits over a power of 10 and simplifying: $0.25 = \frac{25}{100} = \frac{1}{4}$.

For repeating decimals we use the generating fraction:

  • Pure: the repeating block over as many 9s as it has digits. $0.\widehat{6} = \frac{6}{9} = \frac{2}{3}$.

  • Mixed: (the number without the decimal point − the non-repeating part) over as many 9s as digits in the repeating block followed by as many 0s as digits before the repeating block.

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Classify the following decimal numbers into terminating, pure recurring, or mixed recurring. Then, express the terminating decimals in the form of an irreducible…

Classify the following decimal numbers into terminating, pure recurring, or mixed recurring. Then, express the terminating decimals in the form of an irreducible fraction.

  1. a) $3.25$
  2. b) $7.1111\dots$
  3. c) $0.25$
  4. d) $5.0424242\dots$
Solve
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In a strategy video game, the map is divided into different zones according to the terrain. The total map occupies 1 200 square pixels. The forest occupies $\frac{1}{3}$…

In a strategy video game, the map is divided into different zones according to the terrain.

The total map occupies 1 200 square pixels.

  • The forest occupies $\frac{1}{3}$ of the map.

  • The water occupies $\frac{1}{4}$ of the map.

  • The remainder is desert.

  • How many square pixels does the forest occupy?

  • How many square pixels does the water occupy?

  • Work out what irreducible fraction of the map represents the desert.

Forest 1/3 Water 1/4 Desert ? Total: 1 200 px²
Solve

Equivalent fractions

Half a pizza, two quarters or four eighths: it is the same amount, even though it is cut differently. They are equivalent fractions.

If you multiply or divide the numerator and the denominator by the same number, you get an equivalent fraction. Dividing is called simplifying. When it can't be simplified any further, you have the fraction in lowest terms.

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Look at the following graphical representation of a fraction. Your task is to: 1. Write down the irreducible fraction that represents the section coloured orange…

Look at the following graphical representation of a fraction. Your task is to:

  1. Write down the irreducible fraction that represents the section coloured orange compared to the total circle.

  2. State whether the fraction $\frac{9}{24}$ is equivalent to the one represented in the image. Justify your answer by simplifying both fractions.

Solve
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Marta has bought a large rectangular pizza for dinner. On opening the box, she sees that the pizza is cut into 24 equal slices. Marta eats 4 slices. Her brother Luis…

Marta has bought a large rectangular pizza for dinner. On opening the box, she sees that the pizza is cut into 24 equal slices.

  • Marta eats 4 slices.

  • Her brother Luis eats 6 slices.

  • Her parents eat 8 slices between them.

  • Write down the fraction of pizza eaten by each (Marta, Luis, and parents). Simplify them fully.

  • What fraction of the pizza is left over? Express the result as an irreducible fraction.

Marta Luis Parents Leftover Total = 24 slices
Solve

Comparing and ordering fractions

Who ate more: the person who eats $\frac{3}{4}$ of a chocolate bar or the one who eats $\frac{5}{7}$? At first glance it is not clear. Look at the bars:

Visual comparison of two rectangular bars divided into parts to compare three quarters with five sevenths. 3/4 5/7 0.75 0.714…

By a small margin, $\frac{3}{4}$ is greater. But you won't always be able to draw, so you need a method.

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Three friends are competing in a 100-meter obstacle race. At a given moment, their positions are as follows: Ana has covered $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total distance. Beto…

Three friends are competing in a 100-meter obstacle race. At a given moment, their positions are as follows:

  • Ana has covered $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total distance.

  • Beto has covered $\frac{3}{4}$ of the total distance.

  • Carla has covered $\frac{7}{10}$ of the total distance.

  • Calculate how many meters each person has covered exactly.

  • Order the fractions from smallest to largest using the symbol $<$.

  • Mark the approximate positions of Ana (A), Beto (B), and Carla (C) on the number line shown below.

100 m 0 50 100 START FINISH
Solve

Representing fractions on the number line

Every rational number has its exact place on the number line. To place $\frac{7}{4}$:

  1. If it is improper, take out the whole part: $\frac{7}{4} = 1 + \frac{3}{4}$. It lies between 1 and 2.

  2. Divide the stretch from 1 to 2 into 4 equal parts (the denominator).

  3. Count 3 of those parts.

Number line marked from 0 to 2 showing the stretch between 1 and 2 divided into four parts to place the fraction seven quarters. 012 5/46/4 7/4 1 + 3 quarters 7/4 = 1 + 3/4 = 1.75

And what if you have to divide a segment into 7 exact parts, without a marked ruler? You use Thales' theorem: you draw an auxiliary ray from 0, mark 7 equal steps with the compass, connect the last mark to 1 and draw parallels.

Drag the point: you will see which fraction and which decimal correspond to each position.

Distance and absolute value

The absolute value $|x|$ is the distance from $x$ to zero: $\left|-\frac{3}{4}\right| = \frac{3}{4}$. And $|T - c|$ is the distance between $T$ and $c$. So $|T - c| \leq r$ means that $T$ is at most at distance $r$ from $c$:

$$c - r \leq T \leq c + r$$

which is the interval $[c - r,\ c + r]$.

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Represent the rational numbers $\frac{7}{4}$ and $-\frac{2}{3}$ on the number line. To do so, use Thales' Theorem or the division of segments to place the points…

Represent the rational numbers $\frac{7}{4}$ and $-\frac{2}{3}$ on the number line.

To do so, use Thales' Theorem or the division of segments to place the points exactly, not approximately.

Draw in your notebook a line like the following one, with the integers marked (it is best for the unit to be large, for example 6 cm), and carry out your construction on it:

Number line with the integers −2, −1, 0, 1 and 2 marked−2−1012

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve
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A biologist is preparing a bacterial culture and needs a very specific room temperature. The laboratory thermostat has a somewhat unusual scale marked in fractions of a…

A biologist is preparing a bacterial culture and needs a very specific room temperature.

The laboratory thermostat has a somewhat unusual scale marked in fractions of a degree.

The ideal temperature $T$ must satisfy the following distance (modulus) condition:

$$ \left| T - \frac{25}{4} \right| \leq \frac{3}{8} $$
  1. a) Represent on the number line the set of all possible temperature values $T$ (interval).
  2. b) Write down the solution interval using inequalities and fractions.
  3. c) Would a temperature of $6.65^\circ \text{C}$ be valid? Justify your answer by calculating with fractions.

You can do it on paper and send a photo with your answer.

Solve

Adding and subtracting fractions

Adding fractions is like adding bills of different denominations: before putting them together, you have to count in the same unit. Here the unit is the denominator.

Bars showing one half and one third expressed in sixths, and their sum equal to five sixths. 1/2 = 3/6 1/3 = 2/6 sum = 5/6
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Perform the following operations with fractions. Remember that to add or subtract, you must first find the lowest common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. Express the…

Perform the following operations with fractions. Remember that to add or subtract, you must first find the lowest common multiple (LCM) of the denominators. Express the result as an irreducible fraction.

  1. a) $\frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{6}$
  1. b) $\frac{4}{5} - \frac{1}{2}$
  1. c) $\frac{3}{4} + \frac{5}{12} - \frac{1}{3}$
Solve
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The storage on your cell phone is divided as follows: Photos occupy $\frac{2}{5}$ of the space. Applications occupy $\frac{1}{3}$ of the space. 1. What fraction of the…

The storage on your cell phone is divided as follows:

  • Photos occupy $\frac{2}{5}$ of the space.

  • Applications occupy $\frac{1}{3}$ of the space.

  • What fraction of the total do photos and applications occupy together?

  • If the rest of the space is free, what fraction represents the free space?

  • If the total capacity of the phone is 60 GB, how many GB are left free?

Solve

Multiplying and dividing fractions

Multiplying is easier than adding: numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator. The drawing shows why: $\frac{2}{3}$ of $\frac{3}{4}$ is the region where the two strips cross.

Rectangular grid of twelve cells where three quarters across and two thirds down cross to illustrate multiplication of fractions. 3/4 across 2/3 down 6 of 12 squares 2/3 · 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/2
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Calculate the following products and divisions of fractions. Remember to simplify the final result if possible. a) $\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{8}{9}$ b)…

Calculate the following products and divisions of fractions. Remember to simplify the final result if possible.

  1. a) $\frac{3}{4} \times \frac{8}{9}$
  1. b) $\frac{2}{5} : \frac{4}{15}$
  1. c) $\frac{5}{6} \times (-2)$

Note: Remember the rule of signs and that an integer has a denominator of 1.

Solve
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Three friends buy a birthday present costing 60 pesos. Ainhoa contributes $\frac{1}{3}$ of the total price. Beto contributes $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total price. Carla pays…

Three friends buy a birthday present costing 60 pesos.

  • Ainhoa contributes $\frac{1}{3}$ of the total price.

  • Beto contributes $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total price.

  • Carla pays the rest.

  1. a) What fraction of the total does Carla pay?
  2. b) How much money in pesos does each person contribute?
Solve
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We have an oil drum with a capacity of 120 liters. We want to pack all the oil into two types of containers: We fill 40 bottles of $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter each. We pack…

We have an oil drum with a capacity of 120 liters.

We want to pack all the oil into two types of containers:

  • We fill 40 bottles of $\frac{3}{4}$ of a liter each.

  • We pack the rest of the oil into $1.5$-liter containers.

How many 1.5-liter containers will we need to pack the remaining oil?

Note: Remember that 1.5 liters can be expressed as the fraction $\frac{3}{2}$.

Solve

Powers and problems with fractions

A power of a fraction raises the numerator and the denominator: $\left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^3 = \frac{2^3}{3^3} = \frac{8}{27}$. With a negative exponent the fraction is flipped:

$$a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n} \qquad \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^{-2} = \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{9}{4}$$

A root of a fraction is taken on top and bottom: $\sqrt{\frac{16}{81}} = \frac{4}{9}$.

When something is reduced to a fraction of the previous amount several times, powers appear. For example, a ball that bounces back to $\frac{2}{3}$ of the previous height from 27 m reaches $27 \cdot \frac{2}{3} = 18$ m, then $18 \cdot \frac{2}{3} = 12$ m, that is $27 \cdot \left(\frac{2}{3}\right)^2$ on the second bounce.

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A rubber ball is dropped from a height of 27 meters. On each bounce, the ball reaches a height equivalent to $\frac{2}{3}$ of the previous height. a) Write down the…

A rubber ball is dropped from a height of 27 meters. On each bounce, the ball reaches a height equivalent to $\frac{2}{3}$ of the previous height.

  1. a) Write down the fraction and the height in meters it reaches after the first bounce.
  2. b) Write down the fraction and the height in meters it reaches after the second bounce.
  3. c) To what height will it rise after the third bounce?
Ground h₀ = 27m h₁ = ? h₂ = ? h₃ = ? · 2/3 · 2/3 · 2/3 1st Bounce 2nd Bounce 3rd Bounce
Solve
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A group of 3rd year of secondary school students is organizing the funding for their end-of-year trip. They have designed a fundraising plan in stages: 1. In the first…

A group of 3rd year of secondary school students is organizing the funding for their end-of-year trip. They have designed a fundraising plan in stages:

  1. In the first stage (raffle ticket sales), they managed to raise $\frac{2}{5}$ of the total cost of the trip.

  2. In the second stage (e-sports tournament), they raised $\frac{3}{4}$ of what they still needed after the first stage.

  3. In the third stage (charity market), they raised $\frac{2}{3}$ of the new remaining amount.

If after these three stages they still need 9 000 pesos to cover the total cost:

  1. a) What fraction of the total does the amount raised in the third stage represent?
  2. b) What is the total cost of the trip?
  3. c) How much money did they raise in the e-sports tournament?

Use the following bar chart to help you visualize the remaining fractions:

Total Trip Cost = ? Stage 1: 2/5 Remainder 1 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 1/5 Stage 2: 3/4 of Remainder 1 Remainder 2 1/4 1/4 1/4 1/4 Stage 3: 2/3 Final 1/3 1/3 1/3 RD$9 000
Solve
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A highly elastic rubber ball is dropped from a height of 243 cm. Each time it bounces on the ground, the ball rises to a height that is equal to $\frac{2}{3}$ of the…

A highly elastic rubber ball is dropped from a height of 243 cm.

Each time it bounces on the ground, the ball rises to a height that is equal to $\frac{2}{3}$ of the height from which it fell previously.

  1. a) Write down the sequence of heights (in the form of powers and fractions) reached by the ball on the first, second, and third bounce.
  2. b) To what height will it rise after the fifth bounce? Express the result as an irreducible fraction and then convert it to a decimal.
  3. c) What total distance will the ball have travelled (adding drops and bounces) just as it touches the ground for the fourth time?
Ground Height h₀ = 243 cm h₁ = h₀(2/3) h₂ = h₀(2/3)² h₃ = h₀(2/3)³ h₄ = h₀(2/3)⁴ h₅ = ? Bounces: 1 2 3 4 5
Solve

Combined operations

When operations are mixed, there is a mandatory order. If you don't follow it, each person would get a different result from the same calculation.

Pyramid of the order of operations indicating the order of solving: parentheses, powers, multiplications and divisions, and additions and subtractions. 1. Parentheses and brackets 2. Powers and roots 3. Multiplications and divisions 4. Additions and subtractions firstlast

Within the same level, go from left to right. If there are decimals, convert them to fractions first (generating fraction).

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Calculate the value of the following combined operation, following the order of operations (brackets, powers, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction). You must…

Calculate the value of the following combined operation, following the order of operations (brackets, powers, multiplication/division, addition/subtraction). You must simplify the final result to obtain the irreducible fraction.

$$ \left( \frac{3}{2} - \frac{1}{4} \right)^2 : \frac{5}{8} - \left( 1 - \frac{3}{5} \times \frac{10}{3} \right) $$
Solve
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Your cell phone has an unknown total storage capacity. The operating system occupies $\frac{1}{6}$ of the total memory. Of what remains free, your applications and games…

Your cell phone has an unknown total storage capacity. The operating system occupies $\frac{1}{6}$ of the total memory. Of what remains free, your applications and games occupy $\frac{3}{5}$. If in the end you have 32 GB free for your photos and videos:

  1. a) What fraction of the total represents the free memory for photos?
  2. b) What is the total storage capacity of the phone in GB?

Use the following diagram to help you visualize the problem:

Sistema (1/6) Apps (3/5 del resto) Free 32 GB Resto (5 partes iguales) Capacidad Total = 6 partes
Solve
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Classify the following decimal numbers (terminating, pure recurring, or mixed recurring) and find their generating fraction. Once you have obtained the fractions,…

Classify the following decimal numbers (terminating, pure recurring, or mixed recurring) and find their generating fraction. Once you have obtained the fractions, perform the following operation and simplify the result:

$$ 1.2\widehat{5} - 0,\widehat{6} $$
Solve

Errors and approximations

When you approximate or measure, there is an error:

  • Absolute error: $E_a = |\text{real value} - \text{approximate value}|$.

  • Relative error: $E_r = \dfrac{E_a}{|\text{real value}|}$, and as a percent you multiply by 100.

Example: if a board is 150 cm long and you measure 148 cm, $E_a = 2$ cm and $E_r = \frac{2}{150} \approx 0.0133 = 1.33\%$. A smaller relative error indicates a more precise measurement.

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In the Physics laboratory, we measured the length of a table and the thickness of a coin. The results were: Length of the table: actual value $120 \text{ cm}$, measured…

In the Physics laboratory, we measured the length of a table and the thickness of a coin. The results were:

  • Length of the table: actual value $120 \text{ cm}$, measured value $118 \text{ cm}$.

  • Thickness of the coin: actual value $2 \text{ mm}$, measured value $2.5 \text{ mm}$.

Calculate the absolute error and the relative error (as a percentage) for each measurement. Which of the two measurements was more precise? Justify your answer based on the relative error.

Solve
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Find an irreducible fraction $\frac{a}{b}$ that is the result of evaluating: $$ 2.3\widehat{1} - 0,\widehat{5} + \frac{1}{11} \times 0.5 $$ If you try to perform this…

Find an irreducible fraction $\frac{a}{b}$ that is the result of evaluating:

$$ 2.3\widehat{1} - 0,\widehat{5} + \frac{1}{11} \times 0.5 $$

If you try to perform this operation by converting to decimals and calculating, you will obtain an approximation error. Prove algebraically, using generating fractions, that the result is exact.

Next, calculate the absolute error and the relative error (in %) that would be incurred if we approximated the number $2.3\widehat{1}$ simply as $2.31$ before starting to calculate.

Solve

Challenge problems

For long problems: assign a letter or a fraction to what you don't know, draw a sketch (bars or rectangles) and translate each sentence into an operation with fractions. Remember that "working together" adds what each one does in one hour: if A finishes in 6 h, A does $\frac{1}{6}$ of the job per hour.

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Calculate the exact value of the following combined expression. To do this, you must first convert all decimal numbers to their irreducible generating fraction and…

Calculate the exact value of the following combined expression. To do this, you must first convert all decimal numbers to their irreducible generating fraction and simplify each step before operating. Be careful with the order of operations and negative signs.

$$ \frac{2^{-2} - \left( 1.1\widehat{6} - \frac{5}{6} \right)^{-1} \times \sqrt{\frac{16}{81}}}{0,\widehat{3} \times \left( 1 - \frac{3}{2} \right)^2 + 2.5} $$

Note: Remember that $a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}$.

Solve
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Two 3D printers are working to print the parts for a technology project. Printer model A (older) would take 6 hours to print all the parts on its own. Printer model B…

Two 3D printers are working to print the parts for a technology project.

  • Printer model A (older) would take 6 hours to print all the parts on its own.

  • Printer model B (latest generation) would take only 4 hours to complete the same job on its own.

To speed up the process, both are set to work simultaneously. However, after 1 hour and a half of working together, printer B breaks down and stops.

  1. a) What fraction of the total job have they completed together before the breakdown?
  2. b) What fraction of the job remains to be done?
  3. c) How much extra time will printer A take to finish the remaining job on its own? Express the result in hours and minutes.
Solve
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We have a square piece of conductive material for a circuit. Successive cuts are made following a fractal geometric pattern: 1. The original square is divided into 4…

We have a square piece of conductive material for a circuit. Successive cuts are made following a fractal geometric pattern:

  1. The original square is divided into 4 equal squares, and the top left square is removed (coloured black).

  2. Of the 3 remaining green squares, each is again divided into 4 equal squares, and the top left square of each is removed.

Look at the figure generated after the second step:

Area 1 m² Initial Step Step 1 Step 2 Area in Step 2?
  1. a) Write down the combined fraction operation that calculates what part of the total area has been removed (shaded areas) after the second step.
  2. b) If the side length of the original square is $1 \text{ m}$, how many $\text{cm}^2$ of "white" material (not removed) remain after the second step?
Solve
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We have three juice tanks with different capacities: Tank A: Filled to $\frac{3}{5}$ of its capacity. Tank B: Filled to $\frac{5}{6}$ of its capacity. Tank C: Empty,…

We have three juice tanks with different capacities:

  • Tank A: Filled to $\frac{3}{5}$ of its capacity.

  • Tank B: Filled to $\frac{5}{6}$ of its capacity.

  • Tank C: Empty, with a capacity of 100 liters.

We know that the total capacity of tank A is $\frac{2}{3}$ of the capacity of tank B.

If we pour the current contents of A and B into tank C, the mixture occupies exactly $\frac{11}{20}$ of the capacity of C.

Calculate the maximum capacity (total volume) of tanks A and B.

Solve

Back to the beginning: the bus with "two thirds" of the trip has covered $\frac{2}{3} \approx 0.67$ of the route, and for three quarters of a pound of cheese they ask for $\frac{3}{4} = 0.75$ lb: every fraction is also a number on the line and a decimal.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section