A rational quantity is a quantity that may be expressed as a fraction of two integers, a/b, the place a and b are integers and b will not be equal to zero. As an example, the number one/2 is a rational quantity as a result of it may be expressed as a fraction of the integers 1 and a pair of.
Rational numbers are essential in arithmetic as a result of they characterize all numbers that may be represented as fractions. This makes them helpful for a lot of purposes, akin to measuring lengths, counting objects, and fixing equations. Traditionally, the event of rational numbers was a significant advance in arithmetic.
