Question 13 of 58beginner🔧 ApplyShort Answer4 marks

Prove that the following rational numbers are equal:

(i)

23\frac{2}{3} and 46\frac{4}{6}

Answer

By the equality rule for rational numbers, ab=cd\frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d} if ad=bcad = bc. For 23\frac{2}{3} and 46\frac{4}{6}, ad=2×6=12ad = 2 \times 6 = 12 and bc=3×4=12bc = 3 \times 4 = 12. Since ad=bcad = bc, the numbers are equal.

(ii)

54\frac{5}{4} and 108\frac{10}{8}

Answer

For 54\frac{5}{4} and 108\frac{10}{8}, ad=5×8=40ad = 5 \times 8 = 40 and bc=4×10=40bc = 4 \times 10 = 40. Since ad=bcad = bc, the numbers are equal.

(iii)

−35-\frac{3}{5} and −610-\frac{6}{10}

Answer

For −35-\frac{3}{5} and −610-\frac{6}{10}, ad=−3×10=−30ad = -3 \times 10 = -30 and bc=5×−6=−30bc = 5 \times -6 = -30. Since ad=bcad = bc, the numbers are equal.

(iv)

93\frac{9}{3} and 3

Answer

For 93\frac{9}{3} and 33 (written as 31\frac{3}{1}), ad=9×1=9ad = 9 \times 1 = 9 and bc=3×3=9bc = 3 \times 3 = 9. Since ad=bcad = bc, the numbers are equal.

Explanation

The textbook provides the rule for the equality of two rational numbers: ab\frac{a}{b} and cd\frac{c}{d} are equal if and only if ad=bcad = bc. By applying this cross-multiplication rule to each pair of rational numbers, we can easily prove that the cross-products are identical, thus verifying their equality.