The Real Number System The following are the symbols used for certain sets

 The real number system consists of the set of of numbers:

real numbers and two operations called 𝑅 = set of real numbers
addition and multiplication. 𝑄 = set of rational numbers
 A real number may be positive, negative, or 𝑄’ = set of irrational numbers
zero and can be classified as either rational 𝑍 = set of integers
or irrational. 𝑍 ′ = set of non-integer rational numbers
 A rational number is any number that can be 𝑊 = set of whole numbers
expressed as a ratio of two integers; i.e., a 𝑁 = set of natural numbers
𝑎
number of the form where a and b are
𝑏
integers and b ≠ 0. Properties of Real Numbers
𝑎
Note that is undefined whenever b = 0. Let 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 be real numbers.
𝑏
 Closure: 𝑎 + 𝑏 ∈ 𝑅 and 𝑎𝑏 ∈ 𝑅
 An integer is any of the natural or counting
The set of real numbers is said to be closed
numbers (positive integers), zero, and the
with respect to both addition and
negative counterparts of the natural numbers
multiplication.
(negative integers).
 Whole numbers or non-negative integers include  Commutative: 𝑎 + 𝑏 = 𝑏 + 𝑎, 𝑎𝑏 = 𝑏𝑎
the natural numbers and zero.  Associative: 𝑎 + (𝑏 + 𝑐) = (𝑎 + 𝑏) + 𝑐, 𝑎(𝑏𝑐) = (𝑎𝑏)𝑐
 Rational numbers which are not integers are  Distributive Property of Multiplication over
called non-integer rational numbers. Addition (DPMA): 𝑎(𝑏 + 𝑐) = 𝑎𝑏 + 𝑎𝑐
 Any rational number can also be classified as  Existence of Identity:
either a terminating or nonterminating There exist two distinct real numbers 0 and 1,
repeating decimal. called the additive identity and
 Real numbers that are not rational are multiplicative identity, respectively, such
irrational numbers. These numbers are also that
called nonterminating nonrepeating decimals. 𝑎 + 0 = 𝑎, 𝑎 ∙ 1 = 𝑎
Note that the square root of a negative number is  Existence of Inverse:
undefined or does not exist among the set of real For every real number 𝑎, there exists a real
numbers. number, called the additive inverse denoted by
−𝑎, such that 𝑎 + (−𝑎) = 0.
For any real number 𝑎 not equal to zero, there
exists a real number, called the
1
multiplicative inverse denoted by , such that
𝑎
1
𝑎 ∙ = 1 where 𝑎 ≠ 0.
𝑎
Note: Fundamental Operations With Real Numbers
Subtraction and division of real numbers can be  The concept of the absolute value of a real
defined in terms of addition and multiplication, as number is important to signed numbers.
follows:  Signed numbers are numbers which are preceded
𝑎 − 𝑏 = 𝑎 + (−𝑏) by plus (+) or minus sign (−). However, a
𝑎 1
=𝑎∙ such that 𝑏 ≠ 0 number that has no sign is understood to be
𝑏 𝑏
positive.
Properties of Equality for Real Numbers  The absolute value of a real number 𝑥 denoted
Let 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 be real numbers. by |𝑥| is defined as
 Reflexive: 𝑎 = 𝑎 𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 0
 Symmetric: If 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑏 = 𝑎. |𝑥 | = {−𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 0
0, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 0
 Transitive: If 𝑎 = 𝑏 and 𝑏 = 𝑐, then 𝑎 = 𝑐.
 Addition Property of Equality (APE):  The absolute value of any nonzero number is
always positive.
If 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑎 + 𝑐 = 𝑏 + 𝑐.
 Multiplication Property of Equality (MPE):
Rules Governing the Operations on Signed Numbers
If 𝑎 = 𝑏, then 𝑎𝑐 = 𝑏𝑐. Rule 1. To add two real numbers with like signs,
add their absolute values and prefix the common
Properties of Zero sign.
Let 𝑎 and 𝑏 be real numbers. Rule 2. To add two real numbers with unlike signs,
 𝑎±0=𝑎 subtract the smaller absolute value from the bigger
 𝑎∙0=0 absolute value, and prefix the sign as that of the
0
 = 0 such that 𝑎 ≠ 0 bigger absolute value.
𝑎
0 Rule 3. To subtract two real numbers with like
 is indeterminate
0 signs, change the sign of the subtrahend and
𝑎
 is undefined proceed to algebraic addition (Rules 1 or 2).
0
 𝑎0 = 1 such that 𝑎 ≠ 0 Rule 4. To multiply (or divide) two real numbers
having like signs, multiply (or divide) their
 0𝑎 = 0 such that 𝑎 > 0
absolute values and that the resulting product (or
 00 is indeterminate
quotient) is always positive.
 0𝑎 is undefined if 𝑎 < 0 Rule 5. To multiply (or divide) two real numbers
 0! = 1 having unlike signs, multiply (or divide) their
 Zero Product Property: absolute values and that the resulting product (or
If 𝑎𝑏 = 0 then 𝑎 = 0 or 𝑏 = 0. quotient) is always negative.