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Real numbers · Real numbers

Number Sets

Before you start, make sure you know: Intervals, rays, and neighborhoods (High School Year 1 (semesters 1 and 2))
Before you start, make sure you know: Fraction equivalent to a decimal number (Secondary Year 2)

Your physics teacher asks you to report the mass of a particle, the number of oscillations of a pendulum, and the energy of a system. Do all of those numbers "live" in the same place? In this review you will learn to say exactly which number set each quantity belongs to and to write sets of numbers without ambiguity, something you will need for domains, limits, and inequalities.

Number sets and their hierarchy

Nested Venn diagram: N inside Z, Z inside Q, and Q inside R, with the set of irrationals I separate from Q inside R. R — reals Q Z N 0, 1, 2… −3, −2… 3/4, 2.5 I π, √2, e

The inclusions are strict: $\mathbb{N} \subset \mathbb{Z} \subset \mathbb{Q} \subset \mathbb{R}$, and also $\mathbb{Q} \cap \mathbb{I} = \emptyset$ and $\mathbb{Q} \cup \mathbb{I} = \mathbb{R}$. To classify a number, look for the most restrictive (the smallest) set it belongs to.

Remember cube roots too. $\sqrt[3]{a}$ is the number that, when cubed, gives $a$. Unlike the square root, it exists for negative numbers: $\sqrt[3]{-8} = -2$ because $(-2)^3 = -8$. If the cube root is not exact (like $\sqrt[3]{5}$), the number is irrational.

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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
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In a Physics class, different quantities are measured or used for an experiment: the mass of a particle $m = 2.5 \times 10^{-3}$ kg, the period of a pendulum $T = 2\pi$…

In a Physics class, different quantities are measured or used for an experiment: the mass of a particle $m = 2.5 \times 10^{-3}$ kg, the period of a pendulum $T = 2\pi$ s, the number of oscillations $n = 15$, the temperature change $\Delta \theta = -4^\circ$ºC and the energy $E = \sqrt{2}$ J. Classify the exact numerical values of these measurements according to the most restrictive (smallest) number set to which they belong ($\mathbb{N}$, $\mathbb{Z}$, $\mathbb{Q}$, $\mathbb{I}$).

Solve
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Look at the Venn diagram representing the number sets. Place the following numbers in the most restrictive region corresponding to them:…

Look at the Venn diagram representing the number sets. Place the following numbers in the most restrictive region corresponding to them:

$a = \frac{\sqrt{18}}{\sqrt{2}}$, $b = -2.1\widehat{5}$, $c = \frac{\pi}{2}$, $d = \sqrt[3]{-8}$, $e = 1.010010001\dots$

R Q Z N I R \ Q
Solve

An irrational number on the line: the Pythagorean construction

Can you "see" irrational numbers on the real line? Yes: with a right triangle and a compass.

Construction of the square root of 2 on the line: a right triangle with legs 1 and 1 and a compass arc centered at 0 that brings the hypotenuse down to the axis. 0 1 2 1 c = √2 P
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The figure shows the geometric construction of a number on the number line using a right-angled triangle and a circular arc. a) Identify which exact real number is…

The figure shows the geometric construction of a number on the number line using a right-angled triangle and a circular arc.

  1. a) Identify which exact real number is represented by point $P$ on the horizontal axis.
  2. b) Classify this number into the number sets.
  3. c) Prove its value analytically by applying Pythagoras' theorem.
0 1 2 3 2 1 P
Solve

Common fraction of a decimal

Every terminating or repeating decimal is rational: it can be written as a common fraction.

Terminating decimal. Write it as a fraction with denominator $10$, $100$, $1000$… depending on the number of decimal places, and simplify.

Repeating decimal. A quantity like $1.666\ldots$ seems endless, but a trick makes it finite.

Procedure: multiply x by 10, subtract x, and the repeating decimals cancel, giving the fraction 5/3. x = 1.666… 10x = 16.666… 10x − x = 15 → x = 15/9 = 5/3
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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
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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
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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

Exact value, approximate value, and absolute error

A repeating decimal like $333.333\ldots$ does not fit completely in a computer or a calculator: it is truncated (the extra digits are cut off) or rounded. So you no longer have the exact value, but an approximation. How far off are you?

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A company divides a profit of $1000$ pesos equally among $3$ partners. The accounting software truncates the result and transfers $333.33$ pesos to each account. a)…

A company divides a profit of $1000$ pesos equally among $3$ partners. The accounting software truncates the result and transfers $333.33$ pesos to each account.

  1. a) Express the exact amount corresponding to each partner using fractions.
  2. b) Calculate the total absolute error made by the company when using the decimal approximation for the three partners instead of the exact value.
Solve

Irrationals and their operations

To operate with irrationals, just remember: a non-exact root is irrational, but when you operate it can give a rational number. For example, $\sqrt{50}/\sqrt{2} = \sqrt{25} = 5$.

A basic technique is simplifying radicals: look for a factor inside the root that is a perfect square and pull it out. That way you can see whether two roots can be added.

Some nested radicals can be simplified if the radicand is a squared binomial. Recall the square of a binomial: $(a - b)^2 = a^2 - 2ab + b^2$.

Outline of the proof by contradiction that the square root of a prime p is irrational. Suppose √p = a/b, an irreducible fraction a² = p·b² ⇒ p divides a² ⇒ p divides a ⇒ p divides b² ⇒ p divides b a and b share the factor p: contradiction
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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
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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
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The golden ratio is defined as $\phi = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$. a) Prove algebraically that $\phi$ satisfies the equation $\phi^2 - \phi - 1 = 0$. b) From this result,…

The golden ratio is defined as $\phi = \frac{1+\sqrt{5}}{2}$.

  1. a) Prove algebraically that $\phi$ satisfies the equation $\phi^2 - \phi - 1 = 0$.
  2. b) From this result, deduce whether the number $\frac{1}{\phi}$ is rational or irrational and express it as a binomial in terms of $\phi$.
Solve
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Consider the real number $x = \sqrt{7 - 4\sqrt{3}} + \sqrt{3}$. Fully simplify the expression (hint: try to express the radicand $7 - 4\sqrt{3}$ as a perfect square…

Consider the real number $x = \sqrt{7 - 4\sqrt{3}} + \sqrt{3}$.

Fully simplify the expression (hint: try to express the radicand $7 - 4\sqrt{3}$ as a perfect square binomial) and determine which number sets ($\mathbb{N}$, $\mathbb{Z}$, $\mathbb{Q}$, $\mathbb{I}$) the exact value of $x$ belongs to.

Solve

Intervals and set operations

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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
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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
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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
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A chemical reaction is viable if the temperature $T$ (in $^\circ$ºC) belongs to the interval $A = [-10, 45)$ and, simultaneously, the pressure requires a temperature…

A chemical reaction is viable if the temperature $T$ (in $^\circ$ºC) belongs to the interval $A = [-10, 45)$ and, simultaneously, the pressure requires a temperature control parameter $k = \frac{T}{10}$ to belong to the interval $B = (0, 5]$. Calculate the exact temperature interval $T$ for which the reaction is viable, satisfying both conditions at the same time.

Solve

Intervals from inequalities

Many sets of real numbers are described with an inequality. You have to convert them to intervals.

Absolute value. $|x - c| \le r$ means "$x$ is at most distance $r$ from $c$," and is equivalent to $[c - r, c + r]$. With $<$ instead of $\le$, the interval is open: $(c - r, c + r)$.

Quadratic inequality. To solve $x^2 + bx + c \le 0$: factor it (or use the quadratic formula) to find the roots, which divide the line into zones, and check the sign of the product in each zone.

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In the design of a microchip, the allowable tolerance for the thickness of a silicon track is given by the set $T = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid |x - 1.25| \le 0.05\}$ in…

In the design of a microchip, the allowable tolerance for the thickness of a silicon track is given by the set $T = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid |x - 1.25| \le 0.05\}$ in micrometres.

  1. a) Express this set as an interval.
  2. b) Determine whether the thicknesses $x_1 = 1.30$ and $x_2 = 1.25 + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{100}$ meet the required tolerance.
Solve
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Given the sets of real numbers $A = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid x^2 - 5x + 6 \le 0\}$ and $B = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid |x - 2| < 1\}$, find the resulting sets from the…

Given the sets of real numbers $A = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid x^2 - 5x + 6 \le 0\}$ and $B = \{x \in \mathbb{R} \mid |x - 2| < 1\}$, find the resulting sets from the operations $A \cup B$ and $A \cap B$. Express the final results as intervals.

Solve
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Given the sets $A = (-\infty, 3k-1]$ and $B = [k+5, \infty)$ defined on the number line, determine the value of the parameter $k \in \mathbb{R}$ for which the…

Given the sets $A = (-\infty, 3k-1]$ and $B = [k+5, \infty)$ defined on the number line, determine the value of the parameter $k \in \mathbb{R}$ for which the intersection $A \cap B$ consists of a single real number. Classify this number into the sets $\mathbb{N}$, $\mathbb{Z}$, $\mathbb{Q}$, $\mathbb{I}$.

Solve
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A sports analyst models an athlete's optimal performance using the intersection of three reaction time intervals (in seconds) obtained from different biomechanical…

A sports analyst models an athlete's optimal performance using the intersection of three reaction time intervals (in seconds) obtained from different biomechanical studies:

$I_1 = [0.15; 0.25]$

$I_2 = (0.18; 0.30)$

$I_3 = [0.20; \infty)$

  1. a) Calculate the interval resulting from the intersection $I_1 \cap I_2 \cap I_3$.
  2. b) If the absolute ideal reaction time must be an irrational number contained strictly within that intersection, suggest an exact value (using surds) that satisfies the condition.
Solve

Density: between any two reals there are always more

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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
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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
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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
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Knowing that between any two real numbers there are infinitely many rational and irrational numbers, construct an irrational number $x$ that simultaneously satisfies the…

Knowing that between any two real numbers there are infinitely many rational and irrational numbers, construct an irrational number $x$ that simultaneously satisfies the following two conditions:

  1. a) $0.01 < x < 0.02$
  2. b) Only the digits $0$ and $1$ appear in its infinite decimal expansion.

Write at least the first 12 decimal places of your number to make clear the rule of formation that guarantees its irrationality.

Solve

Back to the beginning: the mass $2.5 \times 10^{-3}$ kg is rational, the number of oscillations $15$ is natural, $-4$ °C is an integer, and $2\pi$ s and $\sqrt{2}$ J are irrational.

Summary

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