What does "not integral" and "not rational" mean here?

In summary, "not integral" means that something cannot be expressed as a whole number or ratio of whole numbers. An example of something that is not integral is a fraction or decimal number. "Not integral" is different from "not rational," which means something cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers. Something can be both not integral and not rational, such as the number pi. Understanding these concepts is important in science as many physical quantities are not always whole numbers or ratios of whole numbers.
  • #1
paulmdrdo1
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can you explain what it means when they are not "Integral" and not "Rational"?

$\frac{4y}{x} = 4yx^{-1 }$ is not integral in x; $3x\sqrt{y}z^3$ is not rational in y.:confused:

help please!
 
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  • #2
When a fraction or expression is not integral in x, it means that the expression cannot be written as an integer when x is present. When a fraction or expression is not rational in y, it means that the expression cannot be written as a ratio of two integers when y is present.
 

1. What does "not integral" mean in science?

"Not integral" means that something is not made up of whole numbers or units. In other words, it cannot be expressed as a whole number or ratio of whole numbers.

2. What is an example of something that is not integral?

An example of something that is not integral is a fraction or decimal number. For instance, 1/2 and 0.5 are not integral because they cannot be written as a whole number or ratio of whole numbers.

3. How is "not integral" different from "not rational"?

"Not rational" means that something cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, while "not integral" means that something cannot be expressed as a whole number. Therefore, something can be not integral but still be rational, such as the square root of 2.

4. Can something be both not integral and not rational?

Yes, something can be both not integral and not rational. For example, the number pi (π) cannot be expressed as a whole number or ratio of whole numbers, making it not integral. It also cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, making it not rational.

5. Why is it important to understand the concept of "not integral" and "not rational" in science?

Understanding these concepts is important in science because many physical quantities, such as measurements and calculations, are not always whole numbers or ratios of whole numbers. By understanding "not integral" and "not rational," scientists can accurately represent and manipulate these quantities in their research and experiments.

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