1. Converting, Comparing and Ordering Rational Numbers
Foundations of Algebra

2. Rational Numbers: Fractions and Decimals

3. What is a rational number?
Definition: Any number that can be made by dividing one integer by another. The word comes from "ratio”.
Examples:
1/2 is a rational number (1 divided by 2) is a rational number (3/4) is a rational number (2/1) is a rational number (212/100) is a rational number (-66/10)

4. What is NOT a rational number?
If a number is not rational, then it is irrational.
An irrational number CANNOT be written as a fraction - the decimal goes on forever without repeating.
Examples: π = …..

5. Comparing Fractions and Decimals
You cannot compare fractions and decimals. In order to compare fractions and decimals, you have to use all of the skills you have learned to convert them all to decimals.

6. Converting Fractions to Decimals
Think about how you say the fraction. .6
6 10
How many TENTHS are there? The 6 goes in the TENTHS place. =
.08
How many HUNDREDTHS are there? The 8 goes in the HUNDREDTHS place.
8 100 =

7. Converting Decimals to Fractions
Converting decimals to fractions is the opposite of converting fractions to decimals.
Once again, read the fraction.
What do you hear? Tenths or hundredths?

8. Converting Decimals to Fractions
Think about how you say the decimal. .6
Read the decimal. The 6 is in the TENTHS place, so the denominator is 10.
6 10 =
.08
8 100
What place is the 8 in? The HUNDREDTHS place. The denominator is 100. =

9. Converting Decimals to fractions
.60 = or
.16 =
.40 = or

10. Comparing Decimals
When comparing decimals, you have to look at the whole numbers.
If the whole numbers are the same, then look at the decimal in the tenths place.
Keep looking at the digits until you can identify which is the greatest or least.

11. Comparing Fractions and Decimals
Not all fractions are over 10 or 100, some may have different denominators. In order to change them to decimals, we will have to use our calculators.

12. Next, compare the decimals.
Example #1 ~ Compare these fractions. 4 ÷ 5 = 3 ÷ 7 =
0.8
0.428
Next, compare the decimals.

13. Comparing Decimals
Step 1. Line up the decimal points. Use zeros to make an equal number of decimal places.
0.800
0.428
Step 2. Start by comparing the greatest place. Find the first place where the digits are different.
0.800
0.428

14. Comparing Decimals Step 3. Compare the values of the digits.
0.8 is greater than 0.4
So,
0.8 >

15. 0.428
0.444
<

16. 0.444
0.375
<

17. 0.4
0.571
<

18. 0.6
0.6 =

19. 0.6
0.666
<

20. 0.875
0.714
<