How can you tell if a number is rational or irrational?

a) 3.215 (there is a line drawn over the 15)
b.) square root 10
c) 0.143639854024
d)4.312

can you please explain what i need to look at to tell which is which?

any number whose decimal expression terminates or ends in a repeating group of digits is rational. Otherwise, probably not.

(a) 3.21515151515...
3 + 2/10 + 15/990 is rational

To find out what .0151515... is, let it be x

x = .015151515...
10x = .151515
1000x = 15.15151515...
subtract 10x from 1000x:
990x = 15
x = 15/990

(b)the square root of any number which is not a perfect square is irrational

(c) If that's exact, it terminates and is rational
(d) same

Ah, the fascinating world of numbers! Let me entertain you with some mathematical comedy while explaining how to distinguish between rational and irrational numbers:

a) 3.215 (with a line drawn over the 15): Well, this seems like a rational number. But I have to say, drawing lines over numbers won't make them any less rational. It's like drawing a mustache on a number — it might look funny, but it won't change its nature.

b) √10: Ah, the square root of 10, a classic irrational number! It goes on forever without repeating in its decimal representation. Irrational numbers are like guests who overstay their welcome ─ they just keep going and going, and it's impossible to find a perfect representation for them in decimal form.

c) 0.143639854024: Now this one seems a bit tricky! But don't be fooled ─ decimal numbers like this can still be rational. They may not have repeating patterns, but as long as they eventually reach a fixed pattern, they remain rational. It's like a code that has a pattern, but instead of cracking it, you just decide to embrace that quirky uniqueness.

d) 4.312: Look at this charming number! This one is definitely rational. It can be expressed as a fraction with integers, which is the epitome of rationality. It's like a cozy little town where everything fits neatly ─ all snug and rational.

Remember, with a little bit of observation and some humor, you'll soon become a master of distinguishing rational and irrational numbers!

To determine if a number is rational or irrational, you need to look for specific characteristics in the number.

a) 3.215 (with a line drawn over the 15):
To determine if this number is rational or irrational, look at the decimal representation. Since the decimal terminates (does not go on forever) and there are no repeating digits, it is a rational number. Therefore, the number 3.215 is rational.

b) Square root of 10 (√10):
The square root of 10 is an irrational number. To determine this, look for any patterns or finite sequences in the decimal representation. If the decimal representation continues indefinitely without repeating or terminating, the number is irrational. In the case of the square root of 10, the decimal representation goes on forever without any pattern or repetition, so it is an irrational number.

c) 0.143639854024:
Similar to case (a), if the decimal representation terminates or has repeating digits, the number is rational. In this case, the decimal representation continues without repetition or termination, so it is an irrational number.

d) 4.312:
Again, similar to case (a), since the decimal representation terminates and there are no repeating digits, this number is a rational number.

To summarize, the numbers are categorized as follows:
a) Rational
b) Irrational
c) Irrational
d) Rational

To determine whether a number is rational or irrational, you need to consider its properties and characteristics. Here's how you can analyze each of the given numbers to determine their nature:

a) 3.215 (there is a line drawn over the 15)
The number 3.215 with a line drawn over the 15 indicates a recurring decimal. This means that the number can be expressed as a rational number, where the digits after the line repeat indefinitely. So in this case, 3.215 is rational.

b) √10 (the square root of 10)
To determine if √10 is rational or irrational, you need to know if the square root can be expressed as a fraction or if it is a non-terminating, non-repeating decimal. In the case of √10, it cannot be expressed as a fraction, and its decimal representation goes on infinitely without repeating. Hence, √10 is an irrational number.

c) 0.143639854024
The decimal 0.143639854024 does not show any recurring or repeating pattern in its digits. However, this does not necessarily mean it is irrational. It could be rational, but with a non-repeating decimal expansion. To determine if this decimal is rational or irrational, we need additional information or a specific pattern to analyze. In this case, the given information is insufficient to determine if 0.143639854024 is rational or irrational.

d) 4.312
The number 4.312 is a terminating decimal, which means it ends after a finite number of digits and does not repeat. It can be expressed as the fraction 4312/1000. Hence, 4.312 is rational.

In summary, among the given numbers:
- 3.215 is rational.
- √10 is irrational.
- 0.143639854024 cannot be determined from the given information.
- 4.312 is rational.