I need help with this question.
A student used the area of a squre to find its side length. which probably describes the numerical result?
A) rational
B) irrational
C) negative
D) integer
My work explanation: let’s say of area of a square is 16 then it’s side length is 4. For that reason I pick A or D but I have to pick one so please help.
I vote for A.
To determine which choice is the most appropriate, let's review the options.
A) Rational: A rational number is any number that can be expressed as a fraction, where the numerator and denominator are integers. For example, 1/2 or 3/4. In your example, since the side length of 4 is an integer, it can also be expressed as a fraction (4/1). Therefore, rational is a possible choice.
B) Irrational: An irrational number is a number that cannot be expressed as a fraction and has an infinite non-recurring decimal representation. Common examples of irrational numbers include π (pi) or √2. In this case, since the side length of 4 can be expressed as a rational number (4/1), it is not an irrational number. Therefore, irrational is not the right choice.
C) Negative: A negative number is any number less than zero. In this case, since the side length cannot be negative (as it represents a physical length), negative is not the correct choice.
D) Integer: An integer is any whole number, either positive, negative, or zero. In your example, the side length of 4 can be expressed as a whole number. Therefore, integer is a possible choice.
Based on the information you provided, both choices A (rational) and D (integer) are possible answers. However, it is essential to consider the context of the question or any additional instructions given to make a final selection.