# Operations on Rational Numbers

We have learned that when we divide an integer by another integer we might get an integer or a fraction. In all these cases the number is written in the form of a/b. For example 10/ 5, 5 /2, 6/5, etc such numbers are called rational numbers. Remember that the denominator cannot be zero in any case.

A rational number may include any positive integer, a negative integer, a whole number, a decimal or a fraction.

Now let us learn different arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division on rational numbers.

### Rational Number Definition

A rational number $\frac{a}{b}$ is said to be in its standard form if a and b have no common factors other than 1. i.e., a and b are co-primes, where b 0. For example, $\frac{4}{5},\frac{6}{7},\frac{2}{5}$etc., are in the standard form. We can also say that fractions are examples of rational numbers.

A number like $\frac{5}{{10}}$ is not in the standard form of rational numbers, it can be reduced to $\frac{1}{2}$. now $\frac{1}{2}$is the standard form of a rational number.

To identify if a number is rational or not, it should satisfy the following conditions.

• A number should be represented in the form of $\frac{a}{b}$, where $b{\text{ }} \ne {\text{ }}0$.

• The ratio a/b can be further represented in decimal form.

### Arithmetic Operations with Rational Numbers

We have carried out arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on integers and fractions. Similarly, we can carry out these operations with rational numbers. Arithmetic operations on rational numbers with the same denominators are easy to calculate but in case of rational numbers with the different denominators, we have to operate after making the denominators the same. Now let us study different arithmetic operations with rational numbers.

### Addition Operation on Rational Numbers

Addition of rational numbers has two possibilities.

Consider rational numbers having the same denominator

For example Add $\frac{5}{7}to\frac{3}{7}$

Here the denominator of both the rational number is 7. To add these numbers, we just keep the denominator the same and add the numerators.

$= \frac{5}{7} + \frac{3}{7}$

$= \frac{{5 + 3}}{7}$

$= \frac{8}{7}$

### Consider Rational Numbers with Different Denominators

For addition of rational numbers with different denominators first we have to convert them into rational numbers with the same denominator.

To convert rational numbers with different denominators to the same denominators. We have to find the lcm of rational numbers.

Take the LCM of the denominators, then multiply both rational numbers by the LCM. we will get the rational numbers with the same denominator. Then add it.

For example Add $\frac{5}{6}$ and $\frac{3}{5}$

Solution: To evaluate $\frac{5}{6} + \frac{3}{5}$

• Convert the rational numbers with the same denominators.

• Find LCM of 6 and 5 is 30

• Multiply 30 by both rational numbers

We get,

$\frac{{\left( {\frac{5}{6} \times 30 + \frac{3}{5} \times 30} \right)}}{{30}}$

$= \frac{{25 + 18}}{{30}}$

$= \frac{{43}}{{30}}$

### Subtraction Operation on Rational Numbers

Subtracting rational numbers is similar as in addition.

Consider rational numbers having the same denominator

For subtracting rational numbers with the same denominator we have to simply subtract the numerator.

For example Subtract $\frac{5}{7}$to $\frac{3}{7}$

Here the denominator of both the rational number is 7. To add these numbers, we just keep the denominator the same and add the numerators.

$= \frac{5}{7} - \frac{3}{7}$

$= \frac{{5 - 3}}{7}$

$= \frac{2}{7}$

### Consider Rational Numbers with Different Denominators

For subtracting rational numbers with different denominators first we have to convert them into rational numbers with the same denominator.

To convert rational numbers with different denominators to the same denominators we have to find the lcm of rational numbers.

Take the LCM of the denominators, then multiply both rational numbers by the LCM. we will get the rational numbers with the same denominator. Then subtract it.

For example, subtract $\frac{5}{6}$ and $\frac{3}{5}$

Solution: To evaluate $\frac{5}{6}$ - $\frac{3}{5}$

• Convert the rational numbers with the same denominators.

• LCM of 6 and 5 is 30

• Multiply 30 by both rational numbers

We get,

[ $\frac{5}{6}$ x 30 - $\frac{3}{5}$ x 30 ] /30

$= \frac{{25 - 18}}{{30}}$

$= \frac{7}{{30}}$

### Multiplication Operation on Rational Number

For carrying our multiplication of rational numbers we don’t have to convert the different denominators into same denominators.

Multiplication of rational numbers is equal to the product of numerators divided by the product of denominators.

Product of rational numbers = $\frac{{{\text{product of numerators}}}}{{{\text{product of denominator}}}}$

For example, Multiply $\frac{2}{8}$ and $\frac{{\left( { - 5} \right)}}{6}$

Solution: For finding multiplication of rational numbers,

multiply the numerators by the multiplication of denominators

$\left( {\frac{2}{8} \times \frac{{\left( { - 5} \right)}}{6}} \right)$

$= \frac{{2 \times \left( { - 5} \right)}}{{8 \times 6}}$

$= \frac{{ - 10}}{{48}}$

### Division Operation on Rational Number

For carrying out division on rational numbers we have to multiply the first rational number with the reciprocal of the second rational number.

Reciprocal of a rational number means taking the inverse of the number that is taking the numerator in place of denominator and denominator in place of the numerator. For example, the reciprocal of  $\frac{5}{6}$ is $\frac{6}{5}$.

Example of division: Divide $\frac{9}{2}$by $\frac{2}{3}$

Solution: take the reciprocal of a second rational number and multiply i.e $\frac{2}{3}$ is $\frac{3}{2}$

$= \frac{9}{2} \times \frac{2}{3}$

$= \frac{{27}}{4}$

### Solved Examples

Example 1: Evaluate

$= \frac{5}{3} \times \frac{3}{4}$

Solution:

$= \frac{5}{3} \times \frac{3}{4}$

$= \frac{{5 \times 3}}{{2 \times 4}}$

$= \frac{{15}}{8}$

Example 2:

$\frac{{13}}{3} - \left( { - \frac{{24}}{9}} \right) + \frac{{17}}{6}$

Solution:

$\frac{{13}}{3} + \frac{{24}}{9} + \frac{{17}}{6}$

LCM of rational numbers = 18

$= \frac{{13 \times 6}}{{3 \times 6}} + \frac{{24 \times 2}}{{9 \times 2}} + \frac{{17 \times 3}}{{6 \times 3}}$

$= \frac{{78 + 48 + 51}}{{18}}$

$= \frac{{177}}{{18}}$

### Quiz Time

1. Simplify $\frac{9}{4}\left( {\frac{1}{3} - \frac{5}{6} + \frac{1}{2}} \right) \div 5$

2. Divide $\left( {\frac{{28}}{5}} \right) \div \left( {\frac{{ - 30}}{7}} \right)$