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

Metric space, Assume that (X, d) is a metric space and let (x1, : : : , x n...

Assume that (X, d) is a metric space and let (x1, : : : , x n ) be a nite set of pointsof X. Elustrate , using only the de nition of open, that the set X\(x1, : : : , x n ) obtain

What are complex numbers, Q. What are Complex numbers? Ans. Comple...

Q. What are Complex numbers? Ans. Complex numbers are numbers of the form a + bi, where a and b are real numbers and i is a special number called the imaginary unit, which

Estimate what is the thickness of the paper, Kenny used a micrometer to mea...

Kenny used a micrometer to measure the thickness of a piece of construction paper. The paper measured halfway among 0.24 millimeters and 0.25 millimeters. What is the thickness of

Describe adding and subtracting fractions in details, Describe Adding and S...

Describe Adding and Subtracting Fractions in details? To add or subtract fractions, here are some steps: 1. Find the lowest common denominator (LCD) or any common denominato

Evaluate the rational exponents, Evaluate each of the following.  (a) 2...

Evaluate each of the following.  (a) 25 1/2  (b) 32 1/5 Solution  (a) 25 1/2 Thus, here is what we are asking in this problem.                             2

rules for solving linear in-equations - linear algebra, Explain what are t...

Explain what are the Rules for solving linear in-equations?

Example for introducing counting, Four-year-old Mariamma was reciting numbe...

Four-year-old Mariamma was reciting number names - some of them in order, and others randomly. The child's aunt, sitting nearby, asked her, "Can you write 'two'?" She said she coul

Angles, Find the acute angle theta that satisfies the given equation. Give ...

Find the acute angle theta that satisfies the given equation. Give theta in both degrees and radians. You should do these problems without a calculator. Sin= sqroot3/2

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