9.

4 Rational Numbers
Learning Target: Convert between different forms of rational numbers.
Success Criteria: • I can explain the meaning of rational numbers.
• I can write fractions and mixed numbers as decimals.
• I can write repeating decimals as fractions or mixed numbers.

EXPLORATION 1 Writing Repeating Decimals as Fractions

Work with a partner.
a. Complete the table.

x 10x
x 5 0.333 . . . 10x 5 3.333 . . .

x 5 0.666 . . .

x 5 0.111 . . .

x 5 0.2444 . . .

Calculator
b. For each row of the table, use the two
Math Practice equations and what you know about 1÷3
=0.33333
Look for Structure solving systems of equations to write 33333
Why was it helpful to a third equation that does not involve C ÷ ×
multiply each side of a repeating decimal. Then solve
7 8
the equation x 5 d the equation. What does your 9 о
by 10 in part (a)? solution represent? 4 5 6 +
1 2 3 ()
0 . +Шо
c. Write each repeating decimal below =
as a fraction. How is your procedure
similar to parts (a) and (b)? How is
it different?

x 5 0.—
12 x 5 0.—
45

x 5 0.—
27 x 5 0.9—
40

d. Explain how to write a repeating decimal

with n repeating digits as a fraction.

Section 9.4 Rational Numbers 395

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 9.4 Lesson
a
Recall that a rational number is a number that can be written as —, where
b
a and b are integers and b ≠ 0. Every rational number can be written as a
decimal that will either terminate or repeat.
of a
You can think Terminating Decimals Repeating Decimals
ecimal as
terminating d has
t 0.25, 4.736, 21.03 5.222 . . . , 24.—
38, 12.—
015
a decimal tha
s at
repeating zero a
A rational number that can be written as —, where a is an integer and b is a
the end. b
power of 10, has a decimal form that terminates.

EXAMPLE 1 Writing Fractions and Mixed Numbers as Decimals

4
a. Write 1— as a decimal.
25
4 29 29 a
Notice that 1— = —. Because — can be written as —, where a is an integer
25 25 25 b
and b is a power of 10, the decimal form of the number terminates.

29 29 3 4 116
— 5 — 5 — 5 1.16
25 25 3 4 100

4
So, 1— 5 1.16.
25

5
b. Write — as a decimal.
33
5 a
Because — cannot be written as —, where a is an integer and b is a
33 b
Calculator power of 10, the decimal form of the number does not terminate.
5 ÷ 33
51515
=0.15151 Use long division
Divide 5 by 33. 0.1515
to divide 5 by 33. 33 )‾
5.0000
÷ ×
C −33
8 9 о
7 1 70
5 6 + − 1 65
4
2 3 () 50
1
+Шо = − 33
0 .
170
The remainder repeats.
− 165
So, — 5 0.—
5 So, you can stop.
15. 5
33

Try It Write the fraction or mixed number as a decimal.

3 2 3 6
1. — 2. −— 3. 4 — 4. 2 —
15 9 8 11

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 All terminating decimals and all repeating decimals are rational numbers,
so you can write them as fractions.
You have previously written terminating decimals as fractions. To write
a repeating decimal d as a fraction, subtract the equation x 5 d from the
equation 10nx 5 10nd, where n is the number of repeating digits. Then
solve for x.

EXAMPLE 2 Writing a Repeating Decimal as a Fraction

—
Write 1.25 as a mixed number.
—
Calculator
Let x = 1.25.
124 ÷ 99 —
x = 1.25 Write the equation.
=1.2525252525
×
⋅
100 x = 100 1.25
—
⋅ There are 2 repeating digits, so multiply
each side by 102 5 100.
C ÷
—
7 8 9 о 100x = 125.25 Simplify.
+ —
4 5 6 − (x = 1.25) Subtract the original equation.
2 3 ()
1 99x = 124 Simplify.
0 . +Шо =
124
x=— Solve for x.
99

— 124 25
So, 1.25 = — = 1 —.
99 99

Try It Write the decimal as a fraction or a mixed number.

— — —
5. 0.888 . . . 6. 2.06 7. 0.64 8. −4.50

Self-Assessment for Concepts & Skills

Solve each exercise. Then rate your understanding of the success criteria
in your journal.

9. VOCABULARY How can you identify a rational number?

WRITING FRACTIONS OR MIXED NUMBERS AS DECIMALS Write the

fraction or mixed number as a decimal.
9 7 4 1
10. — 11. −— 12. 3— 13. −12—
50 18 9 6

WRITING A REPEATING DECIMAL AS A FRACTION Write the repeating

decimal as a fraction or a mixed number.
14. −1.—7 15. 0.—2 16. 8.—
93 —
17. −6.235

Section 9.4 Rational Numbers 397

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 EXAMPLE 3 Modeling Real Life
The weight of an object on the moon is about 0.1— 6 times its weight
on Earth. An astronaut weighs 192 pounds on Earth. How much
does the astronaut weigh on the moon?
Write 0.1—6 as a fraction. Then use the fraction to find the astronaut’s
weight on the moon.

Let x = 0.1—6.
x = 0.1—6 Write the equation.

⋅
10 x = 10 (0.1—
6) ⋅ There is 1 repeating digit, so multiply
each side by 101 5 10.
10x = 1.—6 Simplify.
− (x = 0.1—6) Subtract the original equation.
9x = 1.5 Simplify.
1.5
x=— Solve for x.
9
1.5 15 1
The weight of an object on the moon is about — 5 — 5 — times its
9 90 6
weight on Earth.

So, an astronaut who weighs 192 pounds on Earth weighs

1
⋅
about — 192 5 32 pounds on the moon.
6

Self-Assessment for Problem Solving

Solve each exercise. Then rate your understanding of the success criteria
in your journal.

18. A fun house mirror distorts the image it reflects. Objects reflected in
the mirror appear 1.—3 times taller. When a five-foot-tall person looks
in the mirror, how tall does he appear?

19. An exchange rate represents the value of one currency relative to

another. Your friend visits a country that uses a local currency with an
exchange rate of 1.2—
65 units of the local currency to $1. If a bank charges
$2 to change currency, how many units of the local currency does your
friend receive when she gives the bank $200?

20. DIG DEEPER A low fuel warning appears when a particular car has
—
0.0146 of a tank of gas remaining. The car holds 18.5 gallons of gas and
can travel 36 miles for each gallon used. How many miles can the car
travel after the low fuel warning appears?

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 9.4 Practice Go to BigIdeasMath.com to get
HELP with solving the exercises.

Review & Refresh

Evaluate the expression.
3— 3— 3—
1. 2 + √ 27 2. 1 − √8 3. 7√125 − 12

Find the measures of the interior angles of the triangle.

4. x° 5. 6. 140°
(x − 5)°
15°
60°
2x°

(x + 40)° x°

Concepts, Skills, & Problem Solving

WRITING REPEATING DECIMALS AS FRACTIONS Write the repeating decimal as a
fraction. (See Exploration 1, p. 395.)
7. 0.777 . . . 8. 0.858585 . . . 9. 0.232323 . . .

WRITING FRACTIONS OR MIXED NUMBERS AS DECIMALS Write the fraction or

mixed number as a decimal.
3 1 5
10. −— 11. 9 — 12. —
20 12 36
1 11 7
13. 6 — 14. — 15. −2—
40 75 18

5
16. PRECISION Your hair is — inch long. Write this length as
16
a decimal.

WRITING A REPEATING DECIMAL AS A FRACTION Write the repeating decimal as a

fraction or a mixed number.
17. −0.—5 18. 4.—1 19. −0.3—56

20. 6.0—
89 21. 0.18—
72 22. 11.—
510

23. STRUCTURE A forecast cone defines the probable

path of a tropical cyclone. The probability that the center
of a particular tropical cyclone remains within the
forecast cone is 0.—8. Write this probability as a fraction.

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 24. STRUCTURE Describe how to write a decimal with 12 repeating digits
as a fraction.
22
25. STRUCTURE An approximation for the value of π is —. Write this
7
number as a repeating decimal.

26. MODELING REAL LIFE The density of iodine is about 6.28—1 times
the density of acetone. The density of acetone is about 785 kilograms
per cubic meter. What is the density of iodine? Write your answer as
a repeating decimal.

27. MODELING REAL LIFE A disinfectant manufacturer suggests

that its product kills 99.9—8% of germs. Write this percent as a repeating
decimal and then as a fraction. How many germs would survive when
the disinfectant is applied to an object with 18,000 germs?

28. MODELING REAL LIFE You and your friend are making
7
pear tarts for a bake sale. Your recipe uses — times the weight
6
of the diced pears used in your friend’s recipe. Your friend’s
recipe calls for 0.3 pound of diced pears. How many pounds of
pears should you buy to have enough for both recipes?

29. PROBLEM SOLVING The table shows the principal and interest earned
per year for each of three savings accounts with simple annual interest. Which
account has the greatest interest rate? Justify your answer.

Principal Interest Earned

Account A $90.00 $4.00

Account B $120.00 $5.50
Account C $100.00 $4.80

30. DIG DEEPER The probability that an athlete makes a half-court

basketball shot is 22 times the probability that the athlete makes a
three-quarter-court shot. The probability that the athlete makes
a three-quarter-court shot is 0.00—9. What is the probability that the
athlete makes a half-court shot? Write your answer as a percent.

NUMBER SENSE Determine whether the numbers are equal. Justify your answer.

31. — and 0.4—

9 1 135
09 32. — and 0 33. — and 1.5
22 999 90

ADDING AND SUBTRACTING RATIONAL NUMBERS Add or subtract.

34. 0.4—
09 + 0.6— 35. −0.— 36. — − 0.— 37. 0.—
03 − 0.—
5 11
81 63 + — 27 04
99 6
9 10
38. STRUCTURE Write a repeating decimal that is between — and —.
7 7
Justify your answer.

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