rational number

noun

Definition of rational number

: a number that can be expressed as an integer or the quotient of an integer divided by a nonzero integer

Examples of rational number in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The rank is a measurement that tells you something about how many of the solutions to that equation are rational numbers as opposed to irrational numbers. — Quanta Magazine, "Without a Proof, Mathematicians Wonder How Much Evidence Is Enough," 31 Oct. 2018 Over the past decade Kim has described a very new way of looking for patterns in the seemingly patternless world of rational numbers. — Quanta Magazine, "Secret Link Uncovered Between Pure Math and Physics," 1 Dec. 2017 The rational numbers, remember, consist of all the numbers that can be written as a fraction. — Quanta Magazine, "Mathematicians Crack the Cursed Curve," 7 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rational number.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.