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Year 8 Maths — Rational numbers

Place, compare, add and subtract numbers that can be written as one whole number over another.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.What is the reciprocal of -3/5? Write your answer as a fraction.

  2. 2.Write a rational number that lies exactly halfway between 1/2 and 3/4.

  3. 3.Sort each rational number by which side of zero it sits on.

    Groups: Left of zero · Right of zero

    • -4/3
    • 5/6
    • 9/2
    • -7/8
    • -1/10
    • -2.5

  4. 4.-2/5 × 10 = ?

  5. 5.Every whole number is also a rational number. Why?

    • a) Because it is always positive
    • b) Because it never has a decimal point
    • c) Because it can be written as a fraction with 1 on the bottom
    • d) Because it is always bigger than a fraction

  6. 6.1/2 - 3/4 = ? Write your answer as a fraction.

  7. 7.Which is greater: -3/4 or -2/3?

    • a) They are equal
    • b) -2/3
    • c) -3/4
    • d) Negative fractions cannot be compared

  8. 8.-2/3 - 1/6 = ? Write your answer as a fraction.

Answer key — Year 8 Maths — Rational numbers

  1. 1. -5/3
  2. 2. 5/8
  3. 3. -7/8 → Left of zero; 5/6 → Right of zero; -4/3 → Left of zero; 9/2 → Right of zero; -1/10 → Left of zero; -2.5 → Left of zero
  4. 4. -4
  5. 5. c) Because it can be written as a fraction with 1 on the bottom
  6. 6. -1/4
  7. 7. b) -2/3
  8. 8. -5/6