Difference Between Fractions and Rational Numbers

If you’re studying math, you might have come across the terms “fraction” and “rational number” frequently. Although these two terms are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. In this article, we’ll explore the difference between a fraction and a rational number and explain why it’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 can’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.