We can classify numbers as follow:
Natural numbers:
- Numbers from 1 until infinity
- Natural numbers are all positive numbers
The set of natural numbers:
Whole numbers:
- Numbers from 0 until infinity
- Whole numbers are all positive
The set of whole numbers:
Integers:
- Integers are numbers that include all the positive and the negative whole numbers plus 0 (zero)
The set of integers:
Not all numbers can be written as natural, whole numbers or integers. Therefore the need for:
Rational numbers:
- Rational numbers are numbers that can be written in the form:
where b ≠ 0. - These numbers include all the integers, common fractions, improper fractions, mixed numbers and decimal fractions- recurring and terminating decimals.
- Recurring decimals: Decimals that repeat endlessly in a specific pattern. For example-
- Terminating decimals are decimals that end:
- The symbol we use for rational numbers is Q.
Irrational numbers:
- Irrational numbers cannot be written as
- Irrational numbers does not fall into one of the categories above.
- Irrational numbers includes decimals that do not terminate or repeat.
- This means that if these numbers are written as a decimal , it can only be represented by a decimal that continues indefinitely .
- For example:
- The symbol that represents irrational numbers is Q'
Real numbers:
- Real numbers are rational + irrational numbers.
- The symbol that represents real numbers is R
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I am trying to learn math right now.
That is good to hear. Maths can be fun and interesting if taught in a proper way.