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Difference Between Fractions and Rational Numbers

May 1, 2023
written by Azhar Ejaz

If youโ€™re studying math, you might have come across the terms โ€œfractionโ€ and โ€œrational numberโ€ frequently. Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. In this article, weโ€™ll explore the difference between a fraction and a rational number and explain why itโ€™s important to know the distinction.

Difference between a Fraction and a Rational Number

The main difference between a fraction and a rational number is that a fraction is part of a whole, while a rational number can be any number that can be expressed as a fraction. In other words, all fractions are rational numbers, but not all rational numbers are fractions.

For example

 5 is a rational number but not a fraction because it canโ€™t be expressed as a fraction with an integer numerator and denominator. On the other hand, 1/2 is both a fraction and a rational number because it can be expressed as a fraction with

On the other hand, 1/2 is both a fraction and a rational number because it can be expressed as a fraction with an integer numerator and denominator.

Another difference between fractions and rational numbers is that fractions always have a specific place value, while rational numbers can be represented in different ways. For example, 1/2 is always 0.5 in decimal form, while 0.5 can also be represented as 50/100, 5/10, or even 10/20.

Is a fraction a rational number?

Yes, all fractions are rational numbers

Can a rational number be negative?

Yes, rational numbers can be either positive or negative

Is 0 a rational number?

Yes, 0 is a rational number because it can be expressed as the fraction 0/1.

How do you add or subtract rational numbers?

To add or subtract rational numbers, simply add or subtract the numerators and keep the same denominator.

How do you convert a fraction to a rational number?

To convert a fraction to a rational number, express the fraction as a ratio of two integers by multiplying or dividing the numerator and denominator by the same number.