CHAPTER

1 RATIONAL NUMBERS

1.0 RATIONAL NUMBERS

2.0 PROPERTIES OF RATIONAL NUMBERS

2.1 Closure
2.2 Commutativity
2.3 Associativity
2.4 Special numbers 0 and 1
2.5 Additive inverse of a rational number
2.6 Multiplicative inverse of a rational number
2.7 Distributive property of multiplication over addition of rational numbers

3.0 REPRESENTATION OF RATIONAL NUMBERS ON THE NUMBER LINE

4.0 RATIONAL NUMBERS BETWEEN TWO RATIONAL NUMBERS

EXERCISE-1 (ELEMENTARY)

EXERCISE-2 (SEASONED)

EXERCISE-3 (SUBJECTIVE)
 Rational Numbers

1.0 RATIONAL NUMBERS

A number which can be expressed in the form p/q, where p,q are integers and q ¹ 0 is called a
rational number. Clearly all fractions are rational numbers. Also natural numbers, whole numbers
and integers are rational numbers. They are represented by Q.
2 -7
E.g. , , -3, 0,1 etc.
3 9
Obviously by contrast there must be numbers which cannot be expressed as fractions. They are
irrational numbers.

2.0 PROPERTIES OF RATIONAL NUMBERS

2.1 Closure
(i) Addition: The sum of two rational numbers is again a rational number.
-2 7 (-2) + 7 5
E.g. + = = , a rational number..
9 9 9 9
Thus, rational numbers are closed under addition. That is, for any two rational numbers a
and b, a + b is also a rational number.
(ii) Subtraction: The difference of two rational numbers is again a rational number.

E.g. 2 7 16 - 21 -5 a rational number..

- = = ,
3 8 24 24
Thus, rational numbers are closed under subtraction. That is, for any two rational numbers
a and b, a – b is also a rational number.
(iii) Multiplication : The product of two rational numbers is again a rational number,

5 æ -3 ö -15 -5
E.g. ´ ç ÷ = = , a rational number..
6 è 4 ø 24 8
Thus, rational numbers are closed under multiplication. That is, for any two rational numbers
a and b, a × b is also a rational number.
(iv) Division : When a rational number is divided by a non-zero rational number, a rational
number is obtained.

3 æ -4 ö 3 æ -7 ö -21
E.g. ¸ç ÷ = ´ç ÷ = , a rational number..
5 è 7 ø 5 è 4 ø 20
But, division of a rational number by zero is not defined.
Thus, rational numbers are not closed under division. However, if we exclude zero then the
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collection of, all other rational numbers is closed under division.

2.2 Commutativity
(i) Addition : The sum of two rational numbers remains the same even if the order in which
they are added is changed.

5 æ -9 ö 50 - 63 -13
E.g. +ç ÷ = =
7 è 10 ø 70 70

æ -9 ö 5 -63 + 50 -13 5 æ -9 ö æ -9 ö 5
ç ÷+ = = So,, +ç ÷= ç ÷+
è 10 ø 7 7 70 7 è 10 ø è 10 ø 7
Thus, addition of rational numbers is commutative. That is, for any two rational numbers
a and b, a + b = b + a.

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Class VIII : Mathematics

(ii) Subtraction : The difference of two rational numbers is not the same if the order in which
they are subtracted is changed.
3 4 21 - 20 1
E.g. - = =
5 7 35 35

4 3 20 - 21 -1 3 4 4 3
- = = So, - ¹ -
7 5 35 35 5 7 7 5
Thus, the subtraction of rational numbers is not commutative.
(iii) Multiplication : The product of two rational numbers remains the same even if the order
in which they are multiplied is changed. That is, for any two rational numbers a and b,
a × b = b × a.

2 æ -3 ö -6 -2
E.g. ´ç ÷ = =
9 è 7 ø 63 21

æ -3 ö 2 -6 -2 2 æ -3 ö æ -3 ö 2
ç ÷´ = = So, ´ ç ÷ = ç ÷ ´
è 7 ø 9 63 21 9 è 7 ø è 7 ø 9
Thus, the product of rational numbers is commutative.
(iv) Division : The quotient of two rational numbers is not the same if the order in which they
are divided is changed.

3 æ -4 ö 3 æ -7 ö -21
E.g ¸ç ÷ = ´ç ÷ =
5 è 7 ø 5 è 4 ø 20

æ -4 ö æ 3 ö -4 5 -20 3 æ -4 ö æ -4 ö æ 3 ö
ç ÷ ¸ç ÷ = ´ = So,, ¸ç ÷¹ç ÷ ¸ç ÷
è 7 ø è 5 ø 7 3 21 5 è 7 ø è 7 ø è5ø
Thus, division of rational numbers is not commutative.

2.3 Associativity
(i) Addition :The sum of three or more rational numbers remains the same even if the order
in which they are grouped is changed.

æ -3 5 ö æ -9 ö -21 + 20 æ -9 ö
E.g. ç + ÷+ç ÷= +ç ÷
è 4 7 ø è 14 ø 28 è 14 ø

-1 æ -9 ö -1 + (-18) -19
= +ç ÷ = =
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28 è 14 ø 28 28

-3 é 5 æ -9 ö ù -3 é 10 + (-9) ù
= + +ç ÷ = +
4 ëê 7 è 14 ø ûú 4 ëê 14 ûú

-3 1 -21 + 2 -19 æ -3 5 ö æ -9 ö -3 é 5 æ -9 ö ù
= + = = So, ç + ÷+ç ÷= + ê +ç ÷ú
4 14 28 28 è 4 7 ø è 14 ø 4 ë 7 è 14 ø û
Thus, addition of rational numbers is associative. That is, for any three rational numbers a,
b & c, a + (b + c) = (a + b) + c.
(ii) Subtraction : The difference of three or more rational numbers is not the same if the order
in which they are grouped is changed.

æ 3 2 ö 5 æ 21 - 16 ö 5 5 5 15 - 140 125
E.g. ç - ÷- = ç ÷- = - = =-
è 8 7 ø 6 è 56 ø 6 56 6 168 168

2
 Rational Numbers

3 æ 2 5 ö 3 æ 12 - 35 ö 3 æ 23 ö 63 - (-92) 155
-ç - ÷ = -ç ÷ = 8 - ç - 42 ÷ = 168
=
168
8 è 7 6 ø 8 è 42 ø è ø

æ 3 2ö 5 3 æ 2 5ö
So, ç - ÷- ¹ -ç - ÷
è8 7ø 6 8 è7 6ø
Thus, the subtraction of rational numbers is not associative.
(iii) Multiplication : The product of three or more rational numbers remains the same even if
the order in which they are grouped is changed. That is, for any three rational numbers a, b
& c, a × (b × c) = (a × b) × c.

é 2 æ -1 ö ù æ -7 ö æ -2 ö æ -7 ö 14
E.g. ê 5 ´ ç 3 ÷ ú ´ ç 11 ÷ = ç 15 ÷ ´ ç 11 ÷ = 165
ë è øû è ø è ø è ø

2 é -1 æ -7 ö ù 2 7 14 é 2 æ -1 ö ù æ -7 ö 2 é -1 æ -7 ö ù
´ê ´ç ÷ú = ´ = So, ê ´ ç ÷ ú ´ ç ÷ = ´ê ´ç ÷ú
5 ë 3 è 11 ø û 5 33 165 ë 5 è 3 ø û è 11 ø 5 ë 3 è 11 ø û
Thus, the product of rational numbers is associative.
(iv) Division : The quotient of three or more rational numbers is not the same if the order in
which they are grouped is changed.

æ 3 2ö 5 æ 3 7 ö 5 21 5 21 6 63
E.g. ç ¸ ÷ ¸ = ç ´ ÷ ¸ = 16 ¸ 6 = 16 ´ 5 = 40
è 8 7 ø 6 è 8 2ø 6

3 æ2 5ö 3 æ2 6ö 3 12 3 35 35
¸ç ¸ ÷ = ¸ç ´ ÷ = ¸ = ´ =
8 è7 6ø 8 è7 5ø 8 35 8 12 32

æ 3 2ö 5 3 æ 2 5ö
So, ç ¸ ÷ ¸ ¹ ¸ç ¸ ÷
è8 7ø 6 8 è7 6ø
Thus, the division of rational numbers is not associative.

6 -2 3 9 5
Illustration 1. Rearrange suitably and add : + + + +
11 7 7 11 7
Solution. Let us rearrange the numbers suitably to make addition easier.
6 9 6 + 9 15
+ = =
11 11 11 11
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-2 3 5 -2 + 3 + 5 6 15 6 105 + 66 171
+ + = = Now,, + = =
7 7 7 7 7 11 7 77 77

-16 5 21 22
Illustration 2. Rearrange suitably and multiply : ´ ´ ´
7 11 -16 40
-16 5 21 22
Solution ´ ´ ´
7 11 -16 40

æ - 16 3 21 ö æ 1 5 ö
21
3 1 3 1 3
= ç ´ ÷÷ ´ ç ´
22 ÷ = æç ö÷ ´ æç ö÷ = ´ =
ç 7 è1ø è4ø 1 4 4
è 1 - 16 ø çè 11 1 40 8 4 ÷
ø

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Class VIII : Mathematics

1. Complete the following table.

Closed under
Number
Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division
(i) R ational number Yes Yes … .. No
(ii) Integers … .. Yes … .. No
(iii) W hole numbers … .. … .. Yes … ..
(iv) Natural number … .. No … .. … ..

2. Complete the following table.

For Rational Number

Closure Commutative Associative
(i) Addition ….. ….. …..
(ii) Subtraction ….. ….. …..
(iii) Multiplication ….. ….. …..
(iv) Division ….. ….. …..

2.4 Special numbers 0 and 1

If we add 0 to any rational number, the sum is the number itself.
5 5 5
E.g. +0=0+ =
6 6 6
Zero is called the additive identity of rational numbers.
If we multiply a rational number by 1, then the product is the number itself.

-9 æ -9 ö -9
E.g. ´1 = 1´ ç ÷ =
11 è 11 ø 11
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One is called multiplicative identity of rational numbers.

2.5 Additive inverse of a rational number

a a a -a
If is a rational number, then there exists a rational number – such that, + æç ö÷ = 0 .
b b b è b ø
a a
and – are said to be the additive inverse or negative of such other..
b b
6 æ -6 ö 6 - 6
E.g. +ç ÷= =0
11 è 11 ø 11
6 6
Thus, and – are the additive inverse of each other..
11 11

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 Rational Numbers

2.6 Multiplicative inverse of a rational number

a b a b a b
If is a rational number, then there exists a rational number such that, ´ = 1 . and
b a b a b a
are said to be multiplicative inverse or reciprocal of each other.
-2 5 -2 -5
E.g. for , the multiplicative inverse is - , so that çæ ÷ö ´ çæ ÷ö = 1 .
5 2 è 5 ø è 2 ø
Note that zero has no reciprocal and 1 is the multiplicative inverse of itself.

2.7 Distributive property of multiplication over addition of rational numbers

In general, for rational number a,b and c, a(b + c) = ab + ac.
This property is known as distributive property of multiplication over addition.
7 2 4
E.g. consider 3 rational numbers, - , and
8 3 5

7 æ 2 4 ö -7 é 10 + 12 ù
- ´ç + ÷ =
8 è 3 5 ø 8 ëê 15 ûú

-7 22 -77 æ -7 2 ö æ -7 4 ö
= ´ = and ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷
8 15 60 è 8 3ø è 8 5ø

æ -7 ö æ -7 ö -35 + (-42) -77

= ç ÷+ç ÷ = =
è 12 ø è 10 ø 60 60

-7 æ 2 4 ö æ -7 2 ö æ -7 4 ö
So, ´ç + ÷ = ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷.
8 è 3 5ø è 8 3ø è 8 5ø

-7
Illustration 3. If x = , verify that – (– x) = x.
8
-7
Solution x=
8
é æ -7 ö ù
So, (–(–x)) = - ê - çè ÷ø ú
8 û
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é7 ù -7
= -ê ú = = x. So, – (– x) = x.
ë8û 8

Illustration 4. Write the additive inverse of

6 -7 8 -5 17
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
8 11 -17 -9 1
Solution Additive inverse is a number with the same magnitude but opposite sign. So, the additive
inverse is.
-6 7 8 -5 -17
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
8 11 17 9 1

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Class VIII : Mathematics

3
1. Is 0.7 the multiplicative inverse of 1 ?
7

2. Solve using distributive property of multiplication.

æ -2 5 ö æ -2 7 ö
ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷
è 3 6ø è 3 6ø

2 3 5 3 1
3. - ´ + – ´ =?
3 5 2 5 6

3.0 REPRESENTATION OF RATIONAL NUMBERS ON THE NUMBER LINE

To represent a rational number on the number line, divide each unit length on the number line into
as many parts as the denominator of the rational number and move as many steps starting from
O, on the number line as the numerator (towards the right for positive rational numbers and towards
the left for negative rational numbers).
E.g. Look at the following number line

Negative rational Positive rational

numbers num bers

–1 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 1
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
1
  Here, each unit length is divided into 5 equal parts. Similarly, to represent , the number line may
8
be divided into eight equal parts as shown :

0 1
1
We use the number to name the first point of this division. The second point of division will
8
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2 3
be labelled , the third point , and so on as shown below :
8 8

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8

Any rational number can be represented on the number line in this way.

6
 Rational Numbers

Illustration 5. Which rational number do the letters X, Y and Z represent on the following number
line ?

–1 –4 X –2 Y 0 1 2 Z 4 1
5 5 5 5 5
Solution. The points X and Y lie between 0 and – 1. The distance between 0 and – 1 is divided
into 5 equal parts.
-1 -3
So, Y represent and X represent .
5 5
The point Z lies between 0 and 1. The distance between 0 and 1 is divided into 5 equals
parts.
3
So, Z represents .
5
Illustration 6. Represent the following on the number line : (i) 3/7 (ii) 8/–5
Solution (i) 3/7 will lie between 0 and 1 on the number line.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7 7 7 7 7 7 7

0 A B C D E F 1

For 3/7, the denominator is 7 so, divide the distance between 0 and 1 into 7 equal
parts. The points A,B,C,D,E and F do this. The point C represents 3/7.
8 -8 3
(ii) = = -1 lies between – 1 and – 2 on the number line.
-5 5 5

–10 –9 –8 –7 –6 –5
5 5 5 5 5 5

–2 A B C D –1 0
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As the denominator is 5, we will divide the distance between – 1 and – 2 into

-8
5 equal parts. The points A,B,C and D do this. The point B represents , -1
5
-5
is same as and – 2 is -10 .
5 5

1. Write the rational number for each point labelled.

0 A 2 3 B C 6 7 D E 10
5 5 5 5 5 5

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Class VIII : Mathematics

4.0 RATIONAL NUMBERS BETWEEN TWO RATIONAL NUMBERS

You already know that between two whole numbers or two integers, only a definite number of whole
number exists.
But, it isn't the same for 2 rational numbers. There are innumerable rational numbers between any
two rational numbers.

Illustration 7. How many rational numbers lie between 0 and 1 ?

Solution.
–7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Divide the number line into 10 equal parts between the points 0 and 1. We can easily
see that, there are 9 points between 0 and 1,
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
i.e., , , , , , , , , .
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

0 —1 —2 —3 —4 —
5 —6 — 7 —8 —9 1
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
1 2
Again, divide the number line between and into 10 equal parts, we get
10 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
, , , , , , , , .
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
11 12
We can further divide the number line between the points and into 10 equal
100 100
parts. We get
111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119
, , , , , , , , .
1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000 1000
If we go on increasing the divisions between two rational numbers, we can
accommodate an infinite number of rational numbers.

-1 1
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Illustration 8. Find any 5 rational numbers between and .

2 2
-1 -5 1 5
Solution Let us write as and as .
2 10 2 10
The rational numbers between these are
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
, , , , , , , and .
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10
Write any 5 rational numbers for the answer.
-4 -3 -2 -1 2
The numbers are , , , , .
10 10 10 10 10

8
 Rational Numbers

1 3
Illustration 9. Find any two rational numbers between and .
4 5
Solution First, find the equivalent rational numbers of both the given rational numbers by
converting their denominators into a common denominator.
LCM of 4 and 5 is 20.
1 1´ 5 5 3 3 ´ 4 12
= = and = =
4 4 ´ 5 20 5 5 ´ 4 20

1æ 5 ö 3 æ 12 ö 6 7
Two rational numbers between ç= ÷ and ç= ÷ aree and
4 è 20 ø 5 è 20 ø 20 20
Alternate method
We can also use the idea of mean to find rational numbers between any two given
rational numbers.
The number that is midway between the two given rational numbers, a and b
a+b
(a < b) is the mean of a and b, i.e. .
2

1 1
Illustration 10.Find a rational number that is midway between and .
5 4
Solution We find the mean of the given rational numbers.

æ1 1ö æ4 + 5ö 9
ç + ÷ ç ÷
è5 4ø = è 20 ø = 20 = 9 ´ 1 = 9
2 2 2 20 2 40

1 1
1. Find 3 rational numbers between and .
8 2
–2 1
2. Find ten rational numbers between & .
5 2
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x
• In mathematics, a Dyadic Rational is a rational number of the form , where x is an integer, and
2y
y is a natural number. So in a Dyadic Rational, the denominator is 2 or 4 or 8 and so on.
• A rational number can be expressed as a terminating or a non-terminating recurring decimal.

22
• Irrational number can never be expressed as fraction. Therefore is only an approx value of p.
7

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Class VIII : Mathematics

SOME WORKED OUT ILLUSTRATIONS

Illustration 1
Using appropriate properties find :

2 æ 3ö 1 3 1 2
´ç- ÷ - ´ + ´
5 è 7 ø 6 2 14 5
Solution

2 æ 3ö 1 3 1 2 2 æ 3ö 1 2 1 3
´ç- ÷ - ´ + ´ = ´ç- ÷ + ´ - ´
5 è 7 ø 6 2 14 5 5 è 7 ø 14 5 6 2

2 æ 3ö 2 1 1 3 2 éæ 3 ö 1 ù 1 3
= ´ç- ÷ + ´ - ´ = ´ êç - ÷ + ú - ´
5 è 7 ø 5 14 6 2 5 ë è 7 ø 14 û 6 2

2 æ -6 + 1 ö 3 2 -5 1 -1 1
= ´ç ÷- = ´ - = -
5 è 14 ø 12 5 14 4 7 4

-4 - 7 -11
= = .
28 28

Illustration 2
Write the additive inverse of each of the following:
2 -5
(i) (ii)
8 9
Solution

2 æ -2 ö -2
(i) The additive inverse of is ç ÷ = .
8 è 8 ø 8

-5 æ -5 ö 5
(ii) The additive inverse of is – ç ÷= .
9 è 9 ø 9

Illustration 3
Find the multiplicative inverse of the following :
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

-13 -5 -3
(i) – 13 (ii) (iii) ´
19 8 7
Solution
1
(i) The multiplicative inverse of – 13 is (– 13)–1 =
-13
-1
-13 æ -13 ö 19
(ii) The multiplicative inverse of is ç ÷ = .
19 è 19 ø -13
-5 -3 -5 ´ -3 15
(iii) We have, ´ = =
8 7 8´7 56
-1
15 æ 15 ö 56
The multiplicative inverse of is ç ÷ =
56 è 56 ø 15

10
 Rational Numbers

Illustration 4
8 1
Is the multiplicative inverse of – 1 ? Why or why not ?
9 8
Solution
8 1
No, is not the multiplicative inverse of – 1 .
9 8
8 1 8 -9
Because ×–1 = × = – 1 ¹ 1.
9 8 9 8

Illustration 5
Write
(i) The rational number that does not have a reciprocal.
(ii) The rational numbers that are equal to their reciprocals.
(iii) The rational number that is equal to its negative.
Solution
(i) We know that there is no rational number which when multiplied with 0, gives 1. Therefore,
the rational number 0 has no reciprocal.
(ii) We know that the reciprocal of 1 is 1 and the reciprocals of – 1 is – 1. 1 and – 1 are the
only rational numbers which are their own reciprocals.
(iii) The rational number 0 is equal to its negative.

Illustration 6
Represent these numbers on the number line.
7 -5
(i) (ii)
4 6
Solution
1
(i) For 7/4, we make 7 markings of distance each on the right of zero and starting from 0.
4
7
The seventh marking is .
4
1 P 2
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0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
— — — — — — — —
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
7
The point P represents the rational number .
4

-5 1
(ii) For , we make 5 markings of distance each on the left of zero and starting from 0. The
6 6
-5 -5
fifth marking . The point P represents the rational number .
6 6
1 P

–6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0
— — — — — —
6 6 6 6 6 6

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Class VIII : Mathematics

Illustration 7
-2 -5 -9
Represent , , on the number line.
11 11 11
Solution
-2 -5 -9
To represent , , on a number line draw a number line and mark a point O on it to represent
11 11 11
zero. Now mark a point P representing integers – 1 on the left side of O on the number line.
–9 –5 –2
— — —
–1 11 11 11
P J I H G F E C A O
Divide the segment OP into eleven equal parts. Let A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J be the points of division
-2
so that OA = AB = BC = ... = JP. By construction, OB is two eleventh of OP so B represents .
11
-5 -9
OE is five eleventh of OP so E represents and OI is nine-eleventh of OP so I represents .
11 11

Illustration 8
-2 1
Find ten rational numbers between and .
5 2
Solution
Converting the given rational numbers with the same denominators.
-2 -2 ´ 4 -8 1 1 ´ 10 10
= = and, = =
5 5´4 20 2 2 ´ 10 20
We known that – 8 < – 7 < – 6 ... < 10
-8 -7 -6 10
Þ < < < ... <
20 20 20 20
-2 1
Thus, we have the following ten rational number between and :
5 2

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2
, , , , , , ,0, and
20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
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Illustration 9
Find five rational numbers between
2 4 -3 5
(i)and (ii) and
3 5 2 3
Solution
(i) Converting the given rational numbers with the same denominators
2 2 ´ 5 10 4 4 ´ 3 12
= = and = =
3 3 ´ 5 15 5 5 ´ 3 15
2 10 10 ´ 4 40
Also , = = =
3 15 15 ´ 4 60

12
 Rational Numbers

4 12 12 ´ 4 48
and, = = =
5 15 15 ´ 6 60
We know that
40 < 41 < 42 < 43 < 44 < 45 < 46 < 47 < 48
40 41 42 47 48
Þ < < < ... < <
60 60 60 60 60
2 4
Thus, we have the following five rational numbers between and :
3 5
41 42 43 44 45
, , , and .
60 60 60 60 60

41 47
Note : We may take any five numbers given above from to
60 60
-3 -3 ´ 3 -9
(ii) Converting the given rational numbers with the same denominators = =
2 2´ 3 6
5 5 ´ 2 10
and, = =
3 3´ 2 6
We known that
–9 < –8 < –7 < –6 < ... < 0 < 1 < 2 < 8 < 9 < 10
-9 -8 -7 -6 0 1 2 8 9 10
Þ < < < < ... < < < < ... < < < .
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6

-3 5 -8 -7 0 1 2
Thus, we have the following five rational numbers between and : , , , and
2 3 6 6 6 6 6

Illustration 10
-3 7 3 -9 13 13
Simplify : + + + + +
10 15 -20 10 15 -20
Solution
Re-arranging and grouping the numbers in pairs such that each group contains a pair of rational
numbers with equal denominators, we have
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

-3 7 3 -9 13 13
+ + + + +
10 15 -20 10 15 -20

æ -3 -9 ö æ 7 13 ö æ 3 13 ö æ -3 -9 ö æ 7 13 ö æ -3 -13 ö
= ç + ÷+ç + ÷+ç + ÷ = ç + ÷+ç + ÷+ç + ÷
è 10 10 ø è 15 15 ø è -20 -20 ø è 10 10 ø è 15 15 ø è 20 20 ø

(-3) + (-9) 7 + 13 (-3) + (-13)

= + +
10 15 20

-12 20 -16 -6 4 -4
= + + = + + [Expressing each rational in lowest terms]
10 15 20 5 3 5

æ -6 -4 ö 4 (-6) + (-4) 4 -10 4 4 -6 + 4 -2

= ç + ÷+ = + = + = -2 + = =
è 5 5 ø 3 5 3 5 3 3 3 3

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Class VIII : Mathematics

Illustration 11

æ -3 4 ö æ 9 -10 ö æ 1 3 ö
Simplify : ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷-ç ´ ÷
è 2 5ø è5 3 ø è2 4ø
Solution

æ -3 4 ö æ 9 -10 ö æ 1 3 ö -3 ´ 4 9 ´ (-10) 1 ´ 3
ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷-ç ´ ÷ = + -
è 2 5 ø è 5 3 ø è 2 4 ø 2´ 5 5´3 2´ 4

-3 ´ 2 3 ´ (-2) 3 -6 -6 3
= + - = + -
1´ 5 1´ 1 8 5 1 8
-6 -6 -3 (-6) ´ 8 + (-6) ´ 40 + (-3) ´ 5
= + + =
5 1 8 40
-48 + (-240) + (-15) -303
= =
40 40

Illustration 12
Represent the following on the number line.
-5 -17
(i) (ii)
9 -10
Solution
-5
(i) will lie between 0 and –1 on the number line.
9
–9 –8 –7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1
— — — — — — — — —
9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

-1 P Q R S T U V W 0
Since the denominator is 9, we will divide the distance between 0 and –1 into 9 equal parts.
-5
The points P, Q, R, S, T, U, V and W do this. The point S represents .
9

-17 17 7
(ii) = =1 lies between 1 and 2 on the number line.
-10 10 10
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

1 E F G H I J K L M 2

As the denominator is 10, we divide the distance between 1 and 2 into 10 equal parts. The
17
point E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L and M do this. The point K represent . The representation by
10
the other points is also shown.

14
 Rational Numbers

1
1. The additive inverse of is
9

1 1
(A) 9 (B) –9 (C) (D) -
9 9
2. How many rational numbers exist between any two distinct rational numbers ?
(A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 11 (D) infinite

3 6
3. If of a number is 22, what is of that
11 11
(A) 6 (B) 11 (C) 12 (D) 44
7
4. What number should be subtracted from –4 to get .
8

25 25 39 39
(A) - (B) (C) - (D)
8 8 8 8

4 4
5. What number should be added to - to get .
3 3

4 8 3
(A) 0 (B) (C) (D)
3 3 4

7 -16
6. ´ 0=0
11 21
(A) + (B) – (C) × (D) ¸

7. If a is reciprocal of b, then the reciprocal of b is _____

1
(A) a (B) b (C) (D) None of these
a

9
8. Which of the following is (are) greater than x, when x = ?
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

11

1 x +1 x +1
I. II. III.
x x x -1
(A) I only (B) I and II only (C) I and III only (D) II and III only

9. Arrange the following fractions in ascending order

3 4 7 1
, , ,
7 5 9 2

4 7 3 1 3 1 7 4 4 7 1 3 1 3 7 4
(A) , , , (B) , , , (C) , , , (D) , , ,
5 9 7 2 7 2 9 5 5 9 2 7 2 7 9 5

15
Class VIII : Mathematics

10.
æ 9 5ö æ 9 5ö
ç ´ ÷ - ç- ´ ÷ =
è 10 3 ø è 10 3 ø
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 2 (D) 3

æ8 4ö æ 8 3ö æ 4 3ö
11. ç ´ ÷ - ç- ´ ÷ = - - - - -´ç + ÷
è9 7ø è 9 7ø è7 7ø

8 8 4 4
(A) (B) - (C) (D) -
9 9 9 9

12. (17 × 12)–1 = 17–1 × _____

1 1
(A) (B) 12 (C) 17 (D)
12 17

-4 0 -4
13. =
7 9 7
(A) + (B) – (C) + / – (D) ×

æ -9 5 ö æ -9 4 ö æ5 4ö
14. ç ´ ÷-ç ´ ÷ = _______´ ç - ÷
è 13 6 ø è 13 6 ø è6 6ø

9 18 18 9
(A) (B) (C) - (D) -
13 13 13 13

7 æ 17 14 ö æ 7 14 ö æ 7 ö
15. ´ç + ÷ = ç ´ ÷ + ç ´ _______ ÷
8 è 13 13 ø è 8 13 ø è 8 ø

17 17 34 34
(A) - (B) (C) (D) -
13 13 13 13

16. The product of two positive rational numbers is always ______

(A) Positive (B) Can be Positive or Negative
(C) Negative (D) None of these
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

17. The product of a positive rational number and a negative rational number is always _____
(A) Positive (B) Can be Positive or Negative
(C) Negative (D) None of these

18. The product of two negative rational numbers is always ______

(A) Positive (B) Can be Positive or Negative
(C) Negative (D) None of these

19. The reciprocal of a negative rational number is _____

(A) Positive (B) Can be Positive or Negative
(C) Negative (D) None of these

16
 Rational Numbers

20. The reciprocal of a positive rational number is _____

(A) Positive (B) Can be Positive or Negative
(C) Negative (D) None of these

21. The product of a rational number and its reciprocal is _____

1
(A) 1 (B) –1 (C) 0 (D)
2

4 4
22. + = _____
-18 18
4
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) –1 (D)
9

6
23. ´ ______ = 1
-12

12 12
(A) - (B) (C) 1 (D) 0
6 6

17
24. + ______ = 0
23

17 17
(A) (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) -
23 23

1
25. Reciprocal of , a ¹ 0 is ____
a

1
(A) 1 (B) (C) a (D) None of these
a2
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

17
Class VIII : Mathematics

2 3
1. The cost of 7 metres of rope is 12 . Then the cost per metre of the rope is
3 4

51 61
(A) Rs. 1 (B) Rs. 1 (C) Rs. 2 (D) None of tehse
92 92

2. Which of the following is correct ?

2 41 4 2 4 41 2 41 4 41 2 4
(A) > > (B) < < (C) < < (D) < <
3 60 5 3 5 60 3 60 5 60 3 5

15 5
3. If - ´ k = - , then k is equal to
28 7

4 3 5 3
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 4 3 5

1 æ 3 -5 ö 1 -5
4. If ´ç + ÷ = ´x + y´ , then
2 è 4 12 ø 2 12

3 1 1 3 3 5
(A) x = , y= (B) x = ,y= (C) x = ,y= (C) None of these
4 2 2 4 2 12

a+b 2 1
5. If k = , where a = , b = , then k is equal to
a-b 5 2
(A) 9 (B) 10 (C) –9 (D) –10

37
6. If x < - , then x can be
9
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

(A) –1 (B) –2 (C) –3 (D) None of these

-8 -5
7. (Fill in the blanck)
9 9
(A) > (B) < (C) = (D) None of these

4 æ 5 -8 ö æ 4 ö -8
8. If - ´ç ´ ÷ = ç- ´ k÷´ , then k is equal to
5 è7 9 ø è 5 ø 9

5 5 4
(A) - (B) (C) (D) None of these
7 7 7

18
 Rational Numbers

1 1
9. - = .............
9 3

2 2 2 1
(A) - (B) (C) - (D)
3 3 9 3

3 æ 3ö æ 2ö 5 19
10. If + ç- ÷ + ç- ÷ + + k = - , then k is equal to
4 è 5ø è 3ø 8 120

2 2 4 4
(A) (B) - (C) (D) -
15 15 15 15

æ 7 15 ö æ 1ö æ1 1ö
11. The value of ç - ´ ÷ - ç 1 ´ ÷ + ç ´ ÷ is equal to
è 18 -7 ø è 4ø è2 4ø

17 17 17 48
(A) (B) (C) (D)
26 24 48 17

1 1
12. The sum of - and - is ............
8 8

1 1
(A) (B) - (C) 0 (D) 1
4 4

13. The multiplicative inverse of –1 is

(A) 1 (B) –1 (C) 10 (D) –10

æ1 1ö
14. - ç + ÷ = ...........
è 2 2ø
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

-1
(A) 1 (B) 0 (C) –1 (D)
4

1
15. The multiplicative inverse of is
8

1
(A) –8 (B) 8 (C) - (D) 1
8

19
Class VIII : Mathematics

Very short answer type questions

1. Check whether the following statements are true or false. If true, then state the property illustrated
by the statement.

-2 æ -2 ö -2 -4 7 7 æ -4 ö
(i) +0 =0+ç ÷ = (ii) - = -ç ÷
3 è 3 ø 3 5 8 8 è 5 ø

2. If each of the given statements illustrates the property of addition of rational numbers, then find
the value of x.
-8 4
(i) +0= x (ii) +x=0
17 5

3. Find the additive inverse of the given rational numbers.

24 -16
(i) (ii)
25 -29

4. Find the multiplicative inverse of the given rational numbers.

5 -17 -15 -29
(i) + (ii) (iii)
3 11 27 -13

5. State the property illustrated by the statement.

4 4 -2 5 5 æ -2 ö
(i) ´1 = 1´ (ii) ´ = ´ç ÷
5 5 7 9 9 è 7 ø

-5 æ -1 ö -1 æ -5 ö é 2 æ -9 ö ù 3 2 æ -9 3 ö
(iii) ´ç ÷= ´ç ÷ (iv) ê ´ ç ÷ ú ´ = ´ ç ´ ÷
6 è -19 ø -19 è 6 ø ë 3 è 16 ø û 4 3 è 16 4 ø

6. Each of the following statement is true for rational numbers. Find the value of x.

13 12 13 é 6 æ -8 ö ù æ -5 6 ö æ -8 ö
(i) ´x = ´ (ii) x ´ ê ´ ç ÷ú = ç ´ ÷´ç ÷
10 13 10 ë 7 è 11 ø û è 6 7 ø è 11 ø
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

3 æ 8 ö 3 8 3 4 4 9 4
(iii) ´ç - x÷ = ´ - ´ (iv) ¸ = ´x
11 è 23 ø 11 23 11 17 7 -11 7

Short answer type questions

7. Using appropriate properties, find

6 -4 3 11 9 6 3 3
(i) + + + (ii) + + +
17 5 5 17 -11 7 7 11
4 2 -4 1 -5 1 3 -5 1 3
(iii) + + + + (iv) + + + +
7 5 5 7 7 8 5 8 5 8

20
 Rational Numbers

8. Solve by suitable rearrangement.

9 8 -24 33
(i) ´ ´ ´
12 11 27 40
4 -5 26 28
(ii) ´ ´ ´
7 13 30 40

-5 5 26 21
(iii) ´ ´ ´
13 7 30 50

16
9. Is 0.21 the multiplicative inverse of 4 ?
21

10. Use the distributive property of multiplication and solve.

æ -7 4 ö æ -7 1 ö
(i) ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷
è 12 5 ø è 12 5 ø

æ 16 14 ö æ 16 9 ö
(ii) ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷
è 21 23 ø è 21 23 ø

æ -11 6 ö æ -11 7 ö
(iii) ç ´ ÷+ç ´ ÷
è 14 13 ø è 14 13 ø

4 5 1 21
11. Subtract the sum of – and – from the sum of and - .
7 3 2 22

Long answer type questions

12. Draw a number line and represent the following on it.

-7 14 -11
(i) (ii) (iii)
8 10 6

13. Find the rational number midway between the given numbers.
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

-1 -1 1 3
(i) and (ii) and
2 3 2 4

14. Find any 3 rational numbers between the given numbers.

1 1
(i) 4 and 5 (ii) – 6 and – 7 (iii) 5 and 6
2 2
-5 6 4
(iv) and (v) - and 1
6 9 7

15. Use the method of mean to find 3 rational numbers between – 1 and – 2.

21
Class VIII : Mathematics

High order thinking skills (HOTS)

9
16. A tiger can cross a 13 feet wide canal. A lion can cross a canal whose width is of the canal
13
crossed by the tiger. A hare can cross the canal, which is 1/3 of the canal crossed by the lion. Find
the width of the canal crossed by the hare.

17. A dishonest shopkeeper uses 990 g weight instead of 1 kg. Neha went to the shopkeeper and asked
5
him to give kg sugar. Find what fraction of sugar was she cheated of..
2

3 4 3
18. of a wall was completed on day 1, of the wall was completed on day 2, of the wall was
10 14 15
1
completed on day 3. If the total length of the wall is 513 m, find.
3
(i) What part of the wall was constructed on day 4?
(ii) How many metres of the wall was constructed on day 4?

10
19. Mohan, Sohan and Mahesh are standing in a queue. Mohan's height is of the height of Sohan,
9
Sohan's height is 3/4 of the height of Mahesh. If Mahesh's height is 180 cm, find the height of Sohan
and Mohan.

20. A gardener has to lay grass in a circular ground, leaving a space of 5 m all around it. If the area
59400 2 22
of the ground with grass is m , find the area of the ground without grass. (Use p = )
21 7

D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

22
 Rational Numbers

ANSWERS
CHECK POST-1

1. (i) Yes, (ii) Yes, Yes (iii) Yes, No , No (iv) Yes, Yes, No

For R ational N um bers

C lo su re C o m m u tative A ss ociative
(i) A d d ition Ye s Ye s Ye s
2. (ii) S ubtraction Ye s No No
(iii) M ultiplication Ye s Ye s Ye s
(iv ) D iv ision No No No

CHECK POST-2
4
1. YES 2. - 3. 2
3
CHECK POST-3

1 4 8 9
1. A= , B = , C = 1, D = , E =
5 5 5 5

CHECK POST-4
5 23 13 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 2
1. , & 2. , , , , , , , 0, ,
16 64 32 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20

EXERCISE-1

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. D D D C C C A B B D
Que. 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

Ans. A A C D B A C A C A
Que. 21 22 23 24 25
Ans. A A A D C

EXERCISE-2

Que. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ans. B C A A C D B B C D
Que. 11 12 13 14 15
Ans. B B B C B

23
Class VIII : Mathematics

EXERCISE-3

Very short answer type questions

1. (i) True, Additive identity (ii) False

8 4
2. (i) - (ii) -
17 5

24 -16
3. (i) - (ii)
25 29

33 27 -13
4. (i) (ii) - (iii)
4 15 -29
5. (i) Multiplicative identity
(ii) Commutative property of multiplication
(iii) Commutative property of multiplication
(iv) Associative property of multiplication

12 5 4 11
6. (i) (ii) - (iii) (iv) -
13 6 17 9

Short answer type questions

4 57 2 27
7. (i) (ii) (iii) - (iv)
5 77 5 40

2 2 1
8. (i) - (ii) - (iii) - 9. Yes
5 15 10

7 16 11 412
10. (i) - (ii) (iii) - 11.
12 21 14 231

Long answer type questions

5 5
13. (i) -
D:\19\Comp\Allen-Junior wing\(2019-20)Mathematics\VIII\1.Rational Number\Theory

(ii)
12 8

High order thinking skills (HOTS)

1 3
16. 3 feet 17. 18. (i) (ii) 110 m
100 14

3
19. Sohan = 135 cm, Mohan = 150cm 20. 1021 sqm
7

24