Rational Numbers - Grade 8 Mathematics
Comprehensive Short Notes & Formulae
1. Convert Between Repeating Decimals and Fractions
Key Concepts:
Repeating Decimal: A decimal where one or more digits repeat infinitely
Notation: \(0.\overline{3} = 0.333...\) or \(0.\overline{27} = 0.272727...\)
Bar notation: The bar shows which digits repeat
Conversion Steps (Algebraic Method):
Step 1: Let \(x\) = the repeating decimal
Step 2: Multiply both sides by \(10^n\) where \(n\) = number of repeating digits
Step 3: Subtract original equation from new equation
Step 4: Solve for \(x\) and simplify
Quick Formulas:
One Digit Repeating: \(0.\overline{d} = \frac{d}{9}\)
Example: \(0.\overline{3} = \frac{3}{9} = \frac{1}{3}\)
Two Digits Repeating: \(0.\overline{ab} = \frac{ab}{99}\)
Example: \(0.\overline{27} = \frac{27}{99} = \frac{3}{11}\)
Three Digits Repeating: \(0.\overline{abc} = \frac{abc}{999}\)
Example: \(0.\overline{123} = \frac{123}{999} = \frac{41}{333}\)
Detailed Example:
Convert \(0.\overline{36}\) to a fraction:
Let \(x = 0.363636...\)
Multiply by 100: \(100x = 36.363636...\)
Subtract: \(100x - x = 36\)
Simplify: \(99x = 36\)
Solution: \(x = \frac{36}{99} = \frac{4}{11}\)
2. Convert Between Decimals and Fractions or Mixed Numbers
Decimal to Fraction:
Step 1: Count decimal places \((n)\)
Step 2: Write as \(\frac{\text{number without decimal}}{10^n}\)
Step 3: Simplify to lowest terms
Conversion Formulas:
1 decimal place: \(0.a = \frac{a}{10}\)
Example: \(0.7 = \frac{7}{10}\)
2 decimal places: \(0.ab = \frac{ab}{100}\)
Example: \(0.25 = \frac{25}{100} = \frac{1}{4}\)
3 decimal places: \(0.abc = \frac{abc}{1000}\)
Example: \(0.125 = \frac{125}{1000} = \frac{1}{8}\)
Fraction to Decimal:
Formula: \(\frac{a}{b} = a \div b\)
Example: \(\frac{3}{4} = 3 \div 4 = 0.75\)
Mixed Numbers:
Decimal to Mixed Number:
\(3.25 = 3 + 0.25 = 3 + \frac{25}{100} = 3\frac{1}{4}\)
Mixed Number to Decimal:
\(2\frac{3}{5} = 2 + \frac{3}{5} = 2 + 0.6 = 2.6\)
3. Compare Rational Numbers
Definition:
Rational Number: Any number that can be expressed as \(\frac{p}{q}\) where \(p, q\) are integers and \(q \neq 0\)
Examples: \(\frac{3}{4}, -\frac{2}{5}, 0.5, -3, 2\frac{1}{2}, 0.\overline{3}\)
Comparison Methods:
Method 1: Common Denominator
Convert fractions to have the same denominator, then compare numerators
Example: Compare \(\frac{2}{3}\) and \(\frac{3}{4}\)
LCD = 12: \(\frac{8}{12}\) and \(\frac{9}{12}\)
Since \(8 < 9\), therefore \(\frac{2}{3} < \frac{3}{4}\)
Method 2: Convert to Decimals
Convert all numbers to decimal form and compare
Example: \(\frac{2}{3} = 0.\overline{6}\) and \(\frac{3}{4} = 0.75\)
Since \(0.666... < 0.75\), therefore \(\frac{2}{3} < \frac{3}{4}\)
Method 3: Cross Multiplication
For \(\frac{a}{b}\) and \(\frac{c}{d}\): Compare \(a \times d\) with \(b \times c\)
Important Rules:
✓ All positive numbers > 0 > all negative numbers
✓ For negative fractions: smaller absolute value is greater
✓ Use number line: numbers to the right are greater
4. Put Rational Numbers in Order
Ordering Steps:
Step 1: Convert all numbers to the same form (all decimals OR all fractions with common denominator)
Step 2: Compare the values
Step 3: Arrange in required order (ascending or descending)
Example:
Order from least to greatest: \(\frac{3}{4}, 0.6, -\frac{1}{2}, 0.8, -0.3\)
Step 1 - Convert to decimals:
\(\frac{3}{4} = 0.75\), \(0.6 = 0.6\), \(-\frac{1}{2} = -0.5\), \(0.8 = 0.8\), \(-0.3 = -0.3\)
Step 2 - Order: \(-0.5, -0.3, 0.6, 0.75, 0.8\)
Step 3 - Original form: \(-\frac{1}{2}, -0.3, 0.6, \frac{3}{4}, 0.8\)
Key Points:
• Ascending Order: Smallest to largest (least to greatest)
• Descending Order: Largest to smallest (greatest to least)
• Always place negative numbers before positive numbers
5. Reciprocals and Multiplicative Inverses
Definition:
Multiplicative Inverse (Reciprocal): Two numbers whose product is 1
Formula: If \(a \times b = 1\), then \(b\) is the reciprocal of \(a\)
Finding Reciprocals:
For Fractions: Flip the numerator and denominator
Formula: Reciprocal of \(\frac{a}{b}\) is \(\frac{b}{a}\)
Example: Reciprocal of \(\frac{3}{4}\) is \(\frac{4}{3}\)
For Whole Numbers: Write as \(\frac{1}{n}\)
Formula: Reciprocal of \(n\) is \(\frac{1}{n}\)
Example: Reciprocal of \(5\) is \(\frac{1}{5}\)
For Negative Numbers: Reciprocal is also negative
Example: Reciprocal of \(-\frac{2}{3}\) is \(-\frac{3}{2}\)
For Mixed Numbers: Convert to improper fraction first
Example: Reciprocal of \(2\frac{1}{3} = \frac{7}{3}\) is \(\frac{3}{7}\)
Special Cases:
✓ Reciprocal of \(1\) is \(1\)
✓ Reciprocal of \(-1\) is \(-1\)
✓ Zero has NO reciprocal \((\frac{1}{0}\) is undefined)
6. Add and Subtract Rational Numbers
Adding/Subtracting Fractions:
Same Denominator:
Formula: \(\frac{a}{c} + \frac{b}{c} = \frac{a + b}{c}\)
Example: \(\frac{3}{7} + \frac{2}{7} = \frac{5}{7}\)
Different Denominators:
Formula: \(\frac{a}{b} + \frac{c}{d} = \frac{ad + bc}{bd}\) or find LCD
Example: \(\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{3}{6} + \frac{2}{6} = \frac{5}{6}\)
Steps for Addition/Subtraction:
Step 1: Find the Least Common Denominator (LCD)
Step 2: Convert each fraction to equivalent fraction with LCD
Step 3: Add or subtract the numerators
Step 4: Keep the common denominator
Step 5: Simplify the result
Adding/Subtracting Decimals:
Step 1: Align decimal points vertically
Step 2: Add zeros as placeholders if needed
Step 3: Add or subtract as with whole numbers
Example: \(3.45 + 2.8 = 3.45 + 2.80 = 6.25\)
7. Add and Subtract Rational Numbers: Word Problems
Problem-Solving Strategy:
Step 1: Read carefully and identify what is being asked
Step 2: Identify the given information
Step 3: Determine the operation (addition or subtraction)
Step 4: Set up the equation
Step 5: Solve and check reasonableness
Key Words:
Addition: total, sum, combined, altogether, increased, more than
Subtraction: difference, less than, decreased, left, remaining, how much more
Example:
Problem: Sarah ran \(2\frac{3}{4}\) miles on Monday and \(3\frac{1}{2}\) miles on Tuesday. How many total miles did she run?
Solution: \(2\frac{3}{4} + 3\frac{1}{2} = \frac{11}{4} + \frac{7}{2} = \frac{11}{4} + \frac{14}{4} = \frac{25}{4} = 6\frac{1}{4}\) miles
8. Apply Addition and Subtraction Rules
Sign Rules for Addition:
Same Signs: Add absolute values, keep the common sign
Example: \(-\frac{2}{3} + (-\frac{1}{3}) = -\frac{3}{3} = -1\)
Different Signs: Subtract smaller from larger, use sign of larger absolute value
Example: \(\frac{5}{6} + (-\frac{1}{3}) = \frac{5}{6} - \frac{2}{6} = \frac{3}{6} = \frac{1}{2}\)
Sign Rules for Subtraction:
Key Rule: Subtracting is the same as adding the opposite
Formula: \(a - b = a + (-b)\)
Example: \(\frac{3}{4} - \frac{1}{2} = \frac{3}{4} + (-\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{3}{4} - \frac{2}{4} = \frac{1}{4}\)
Example: \(\frac{2}{5} - (-\frac{1}{5}) = \frac{2}{5} + \frac{1}{5} = \frac{3}{5}\)
9. Multiply and Divide Rational Numbers
Multiplication of Fractions:
Formula: \(\frac{a}{b} \times \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a \times c}{b \times d}\)
Multiply numerators together and denominators together
Example: \(\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{4}{5} = \frac{8}{15}\)
Division of Fractions:
Formula: \(\frac{a}{b} \div \frac{c}{d} = \frac{a}{b} \times \frac{d}{c}\)
"Keep-Change-Flip": Keep first fraction, change to multiplication, flip second fraction
Example: \(\frac{3}{4} \div \frac{2}{5} = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{5}{2} = \frac{15}{8} = 1\frac{7}{8}\)
Sign Rules:
Same Signs → Positive Result
\((+) \times (+) = (+)\) and \((-) \times (-) = (+)\)
\((+) \div (+) = (+)\) and \((-) \div (-) = (+)\)
Different Signs → Negative Result
\((+) \times (-) = (-)\) and \((-) \times (+) = (-)\)
\((+) \div (-) = (-)\) and \((-) \div (+) = (-)\)
10. Multiply and Divide Rational Numbers: Word Problems
Key Words:
Multiplication: of, times, product, each, per, twice
Division: per, each, split, shared, quotient, ratio
Examples:
Multiplication Problem:
A recipe needs \(\frac{2}{3}\) cup of sugar. If you make \(\frac{3}{4}\) of the recipe, how much sugar do you need?
Solution: \(\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}\) cup
Division Problem:
You have \(\frac{3}{4}\) pound of cheese to divide among 6 people. How much does each person get?
Solution: \(\frac{3}{4} \div 6 = \frac{3}{4} \times \frac{1}{6} = \frac{3}{24} = \frac{1}{8}\) pound
11. Apply Multiplication and Division Rules
Combined Rules Summary:
Multiplication Rules:
✓ Multiply numerators, multiply denominators
✓ Same signs = positive, different signs = negative
✓ Simplify before or after multiplying
Division Rules:
✓ Multiply by the reciprocal
✓ Same signs = positive, different signs = negative
✓ Cannot divide by zero
Practice Examples:
\(-\frac{2}{5} \times \frac{3}{7} = -\frac{6}{35}\) (different signs = negative)
\(-\frac{4}{9} \div (-\frac{2}{3}) = -\frac{4}{9} \times (-\frac{3}{2}) = \frac{12}{18} = \frac{2}{3}\) (same signs = positive)
12. Apply Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, and Division Rules
All Operations Summary:
Addition: Find common denominator, add numerators
Subtraction: Find common denominator, subtract numerators OR add the opposite
Multiplication: Multiply numerators, multiply denominators
Division: Multiply by the reciprocal of the divisor
Sign Rules for All Operations:
Addition/Subtraction:
• Same signs: Add, keep sign
• Different signs: Subtract, use sign of larger absolute value
Multiplication/Division:
• Same signs: Result is positive
• Different signs: Result is negative
13. Evaluate Numerical Expressions Involving Rational Numbers
Order of Operations (PEMDAS/BODMAS):
P - Parentheses / B - Brackets
E - Exponents / O - Orders
MD - Multiplication and Division (left to right)
AS - Addition and Subtraction (left to right)
Steps:
Step 1: Solve inside parentheses first
Step 2: Calculate exponents
Step 3: Multiply and divide from left to right
Step 4: Add and subtract from left to right
Example:
Evaluate: \(\frac{1}{2} + \frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4}\)
Step 1: Multiply first → \(\frac{2}{3} \times \frac{3}{4} = \frac{6}{12} = \frac{1}{2}\)
Step 2: Add → \(\frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{2} = 1\)
Answer: \(1\)
14. Multi-Step Word Problems
Problem-Solving Strategy:
Step 1: Read the problem carefully multiple times
Step 2: Identify what you need to find
Step 3: List all given information
Step 4: Break into smaller steps
Step 5: Solve each step using appropriate operations
Step 6: Check if answer makes sense
Example Problem:
Problem: A recipe calls for \(2\frac{1}{4}\) cups of flour. You want to make \(1\frac{1}{2}\) times the recipe. You already have \(\frac{3}{4}\) cup. How much more flour do you need?
Step 1: Find total flour needed
\(2\frac{1}{4} \times 1\frac{1}{2} = \frac{9}{4} \times \frac{3}{2} = \frac{27}{8} = 3\frac{3}{8}\) cups
Step 2: Subtract what you have
\(3\frac{3}{8} - \frac{3}{4} = \frac{27}{8} - \frac{6}{8} = \frac{21}{8} = 2\frac{5}{8}\) cups
Answer: You need \(2\frac{5}{8}\) more cups of flour
Quick Reference Summary
Conversions
Repeating: \(0.\overline{d} = \frac{d}{9}\)
Decimal to Fraction: Use powers of 10
Reciprocal: Flip the fraction
Operations
Add/Subtract: Common denominator
Multiply: Numerator × Numerator
Divide: Multiply by reciprocal
⚡ Remember PEMDAS! Always follow the order of operations! ⚡
📚 Grade 8 Mathematics - Rational Numbers Complete Reference 📚
Master these concepts for success in advanced mathematics!



