Rational numbers
A rational number is a number that can be expressed as a fraction with an integer numerator and a non-zero integer denominator. Fractions are written as two numbers, the numerator and the denominator, with a dividing bar between them. In the fraction written m/n or
m represents equal parts, where n equal parts of that size make up m wholes. Two different fractions may correspond to the same rational number; for example 1/2 and 2/4 are equal, that is:
If the absolute value of m is greater than n, then the absolute value of the fraction is greater than 1. Fractions can be greater than, less than, or equal to 1 and can also be positive, negative, or 0. The set of all rational numbers includes the integers, since every integer can be written as a fraction with denominator 1. For example −7 can be written −7/1. The symbol for the rational numbers is Q (for quotient), also written .