Back to homeMathematics · 1st Bach. Science · Change subject
Start for free
BAC1 tech · Mathematics
Real numbers · Real numbers

Number sets

In technological Bachillerato you will measure, bound and calculate with precision: the resistance of a material, the error of a sensor, the domain of a function. All of this starts with knowing exactly which number set each quantity belongs to and how to write it without ambiguity.

Before you start, make sure you know: Intervals, rays and neighbourhoods (4th ESO)
Before you start, make sure you know: Generating fraction of a decimal number (2nd ESO)

Number sets and their hierarchy

Nested Venn diagram showing the inclusion hierarchy of the sets N inside Z, Z inside Q and Q inside R, with the disjoint set of irrational numbers I inside R. R — reals Q Z N 0,1,2… −3,−2… 3/4, 2,5 I π, √2, e

The inclusion relation is strict: $\mathbb{N} \subset \mathbb{Z} \subset \mathbb{Q} \subset \mathbb{R}$, and $\mathbb{Q} \cap \mathbb{I} = \emptyset$, $\mathbb{Q} \cup \mathbb{I} = \mathbb{R}$. To classify a number, always look for the most restrictive set it belongs to.

Practice★☆☆Not started
Classify the following numbers by indicating which of the number sets $\mathbb{N}$, $\mathbb{Z}$, $\mathbb{Q}$ or $\mathbb{R}$ they belong to (note that a number can…

Classify the following numbers by indicating which of the number sets $\mathbb{N}$, $\mathbb{Z}$, $\mathbb{Q}$ or $\mathbb{R}$ they belong to (note that a number can belong to several sets at the same time):

$-5$, $3,14$, $\sqrt{16}$, $\sqrt{7}$, $0,\widehat{3}$, $\frac{4}{2}$.

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
State whether the following statements are true or false, briefly justifying your answer: a) Every integer is a rational number. b) The number $0$ is an irrational…

State whether the following statements are true or false, briefly justifying your answer:

  1. a) Every integer is a rational number.
  2. b) The number $0$ is an irrational number.
  3. c) All decimal numbers can be expressed as a fraction.
Solve

Generating fraction: every rational number is a fraction

Calculation of the generating fraction of 1,666…: set x = 1,666…, multiply by 10 to get 10x = 16,666…, subtract both expressions (10x − x = 15) and solve x = 15/9 = 5/3. x = 1,666… 10x = 16,666… 10x − x = 15 → x = 15/9 = 5/3
Practice★☆☆Not started
Find the irreducible generating fraction of the following decimal numbers: a) $2,45$ b) $1,\widehat{6}$ c) $0,1\widehat{25}$

Find the irreducible generating fraction of the following decimal numbers:

  1. a) $2,45$
  2. b) $1,\widehat{6}$
  3. c) $0,1\widehat{25}$
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
An architect calculates the length of a wall by adding two sections whose theoretical measurements are $L_1 = 2,\widehat{3}$ m and $L_2 = 1,1\widehat{6}$ m. a) Calculate…

An architect calculates the length of a wall by adding two sections whose theoretical measurements are $L_1 = 2,\widehat{3}$ m and $L_2 = 1,1\widehat{6}$ m.

  1. a) Calculate the exact total length of the wall by working with the generating fractions of both numbers.
  2. b) Express the final result as a decimal number.
Solve

Irrational numbers: a rigorous proof

Flow diagram of the proof by contradiction of the irrationality of the square root of a prime number p. Hypothesis: √p = a/b, irreducible ⇓ a² = p·b² ⇒ p | a² ⇒ p | a (p prime) ⇒ p | b a and b have common factor p → contradicts irreducible
Practice★★★Not started
Prove, using proof by contradiction, that $\sqrt{3}$ is an irrational number. (Assume that $\sqrt{3} = \frac{p}{q}$ where $p$ and $q$ are coprime integers, and reach a…

Prove, using proof by contradiction, that $\sqrt{3}$ is an irrational number. (Assume that $\sqrt{3} = \frac{p}{q}$ where $p$ and $q$ are coprime integers, and reach a contradiction).

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
Without using a calculator, determine whether the result of the following operations is a rational or irrational number by expanding the algebraic expressions: a)…

Without using a calculator, determine whether the result of the following operations is a rational or irrational number by expanding the algebraic expressions:

  1. a) $(\sqrt{2} - 1)(\sqrt{2} + 1)$
  2. b) $\sqrt{3} + \sqrt{12}$
  3. c) $\frac{\sqrt{50}}{\sqrt{2}}$
Solve

Intervals: notation and set operations

Practice★☆☆Not started
Write the following set of numbers as an interval and represent it graphically on the number line: $A = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid -2 < x \le 5\}$ You can do it on paper…

Write the following set of numbers as an interval and represent it graphically on the number line:

$A = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid -2 < x \le 5\}$

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

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Given the intervals $A = [-3, 4)$ and $B = (0, 7]$, determine the result of the following operations as an interval: a) $A \cup B$ b) $A \cap B$

Given the intervals $A = [-3, 4)$ and $B = (0, 7]$, determine the result of the following operations as an interval:

  1. a) $A \cup B$
  2. b) $A \cap B$
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Determine exactly which integers belong to the interval $(-2,5; 3]$. Express the result using set notation with curly brackets.

Determine exactly which integers belong to the interval $(-2,5; 3]$. Express the result using set notation with curly brackets.

Solve

Density: between any two real numbers there are always more real numbers

Practice★☆☆Not started
Order the following real numbers from smallest to largest. To do so, you may use their approximate decimal expansion: $3,14$, $\pi$, $\sqrt{10}$, $3,1\widehat{4}$,…

Order the following real numbers from smallest to largest. To do so, you may use their approximate decimal expansion:

$3,14$, $\pi$, $\sqrt{10}$, $3,1\widehat{4}$, $\frac{22}{7}$

Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
Find a rational number and an irrational number strictly between $1,5$ and $1,6$.

Find a rational number and an irrational number strictly between $1,5$ and $1,6$.

Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
The density property of rational numbers states that between any two distinct rational numbers there is always another rational number. Prove this property by finding…

The density property of rational numbers states that between any two distinct rational numbers there is always another rational number. Prove this property by finding three distinct rational numbers strictly between $\frac{4}{7}$ and $\frac{5}{7}$.

Solve

Summary

See all the exercises in this section