Lesson 1: Number System

Integers (Z):

Integers (Z) are all the positive and negative whole numbers, as well as the number 0.

Irrational Numbers:

Irrational Numbers are numbers that cannot be written as simple fractions. They include all positive and negative numbers which cannot be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers, and q ≠ 0.

Natural Numbers (N):

Natural Numbers (N) are whole counting numbers like 1, 2 and 3. The smallest natural number is 1, and the numbers continue increasing infinitely from 1.

Non-terminating decimal:

A non-terminating decimal is a number with a decimal expansion that goes on forever – you never reach the final digit.

nth root:

The nth root of a real number is a number that can be multiplied by itself n times, to get to a given number. The n is a placeholder that represents any positive real number.

Rational Numbers (Q):

Rational Numbers (Q) are numbers that can be written as simple fractions. They include all positive and negative numbers that can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers, and q ≠ 0.

Rationalize the denominator:

To rationalize the denominator of a fraction with an irrational denominator means to find an equivalent fraction that has a rational denominator.

Real Numbers (R):

Real Numbers (R) are the collection of all rational and irrational numbers. Each real number can be represented by a unique point on the number line.

Recurring decimal:

A recurring decimal is a non-terminating decimal that has a repeating digit or block of digits after the decimal point. The repeated digit or digits will continue repeating forever.

Successive Magnification:

Successive Magnification is a method we can use to locate rational decimal numbers on the number line.

Terminating decimal:

A terminating decimal is a number with a decimal expansion that ends after a finite number of steps.

Whole Numbers (N0):

Whole Numbers (N0) include all the natural numbers and the number 0.