Step by step
The question
Question: is −5 rational or irrational?
−5
Rational means: it can be written as a fraction, with whole numbers on top and at the bottom.
Then its decimal stops, or repeats for ever.
Irrational means: no fraction works.
Its decimal never stops and never repeats.
rational = a fraction of whole numbers
decimal stops or repeats
1 Write it as a fraction
Any whole number can go over 1.
−5 is −5/1.
= −5 = −51
So −5 is rational.
Every whole number is rational, negative ones too.
= −5 is rational
2 Check
Let's check: −5 divided by 1 is −5.
The fraction is the same number.
So the answer is right!
−5 ÷ 1 = −5
Let's look back.
First: write it as a fraction.
Last: check.
Answer
= −5 is rational