Number Theory/Irrational Rational and Transcendental Numbers

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Definitions

Rational numbers are numbers which can be expressed as a ratio of two integers.

This includes fractional representations such as 34,273 etc.


A rational number can also be expressed as a termininating or recurring decimal However, a decimal which does not repeat after a finite number of decimals is NOT a rational number. Examples include
1.25,0.333333,999

One other representation that is sometimes used is that of a ratio e.g. 5:4

The entire (infinite) set of rational numbers is normally referenced by the symbol .


Irrational numbers are all the rest of the numbers - such as 2,π,e

Taken together, irrational numbers and rational numbers constitute the real numbers - designated as .

The set of irrational numbers is infinite - indeed there are "more" irrationals than rationals (when "more" is defined precisely).


Transcendental numbers are irrational numbers which are not the root of any polynomial equation.

For example, 2 is a root of the polynomial equation x22=0 and so isn't transcendental (but it is irrational).

However, it is known that π,e are not the roots of any possible polynomial and so they are transcendental.

The set of transcendental numbers is infinite.