Defining real numbers, Mathematics

Assignment Help:

The numbers used to measure quantities such as length, area, volume, body temperature, GNP, growth rate etc. are called real numbers.

Another definition of real numbers uses a concept called number line (we will learn about it shortly). According to this definition a real number is any number that is the co-ordinate of the point on a real number line.

Sets of real numbers and relations among such sets can often be visualized by the use of a number line or co-ordinate axis. A number line is constructed by fixing a point O called the origin and another point U called the unit point on a horizontal straight line L. It is shown below. Therefore, on a number line we observe that positive numbers are in the increasing order as we move to the right of the origin whereas the negative numbers are in the decreasing order as we move to the left of the origin.

166_real numbers.png

Each point P on the line L is now assigned a "numerical address" or co-ordinate "x" representing its distance from the origin, measured in terms of the given unit. Thus x = +-d, where d is the distance between O and P (shown above). The plus sign or minus sign is used to indicate whether P is to the right of the origin or to the left of the origin. If the resulting number line is drawn to some scale, each point P has a corresponding numerical value and to each real numerical value "x" there will be corresponding unique point P on the number line. This can be observed on the number line. In other words for a point say 3.7, there is only a single point on the number line and for a point Q there will be unique numerical value. 


Related Discussions:- Defining real numbers

Graph and algebraic methods , To answer each question, use the function t(r...

To answer each question, use the function t(r) = d , where t is the time in hours, d is the distance in miles, and r is the rate in miles per hour. a. Sydney drives 10 mi at a c

Linear Programming, A garden shop wishes to prepare a supply of special fer...

A garden shop wishes to prepare a supply of special fertilizer at a minimal cost by mixing two fertilizers, A and B. The mixture is to contain at least 45 units of phosphate at lea

Draw the state diagram - transition function, 1. Let M be the PDA with stat...

1. Let M be the PDA with states Q = {q0, q1, and q2}, final states F = {q1, q2} and transition function δ(q0, a, λ) = {[q0, A]} δ(q0, λ , λ) = {[q1, λ]} δ(q0, b, A) = {[q2

How many inches is the smaller dimension of the decreased, A photographer d...

A photographer decides to decrease a picture she took in sequence to fit it within a certain frame. She requires the picture to be one-third of the area of the original. If the ori

probability , An engineer has 200 resistors that he keeps in one box. Resi...

An engineer has 200 resistors that he keeps in one box. Resistors are colored to help their identification, and in this box there are 30 white resistors, 50 black resistors, 80 red

Size of the penumbra, With reference to Fig. 1(a) show that the magnificati...

With reference to Fig. 1(a) show that the magnification of an object is given by M=SID/SOD. With reference to Fig. 1(b) show that the size of the penumbra (blur) f is given by f

Least cost method in operations research, algorithm and numerical examples ...

algorithm and numerical examples of least cost method

what is probability that point will be chosen from triagle, In the adjoini...

In the adjoining figure ABCD is a square with sides of length 6 units points P & Q are the mid points of the sides BC & CD respectively. If a point is selected at random from the i

Circles, Circles In this section we are going to take a rapid look at ...

Circles In this section we are going to take a rapid look at circles.  Though, prior to we do that we have to give a quick formula that expectantly you'll recall seeing at som

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd