Page 13 - Mathematics

Chapter

Two Numbers

Introduction Tanzania Institute of Education

Numbers play a vital role in everyday life. Different activities are performed
with the help of numbers. Numbers are used to quantify and measure quantities.
For instance, length, mass, time, volume, and population are some of the
quantities represented by numbers. In this chapter, you will learn about
rational, irrational, and real numbers. You will also learn about repeating
decimals, inequalities and absolute values of real numbers. The competencies
developed will enable you to perform daily life activities such as counting
things, managing money, distributing items, and interpreting numbers based
on contexts, and many other applications.

Concept of numbers
Numbers are classified into different categories. Some categories of numbers that you
have already learned include whole numbers, natural numbers, fractions, integers,
and decimals. Other major categories of numbers include rational, irrational, and
real numbers. Activity 2.1 enables you to identify categories of numbers from
daily life activities.

Activity 2.1: Categorising numbers

1. Use different measuring tools such as tape measure, ruler, weighing
balance, and measuring cylinders to measure lengths, masses, and volumes
of different objects, respectively.
2. Record the measurements in task 1 and categorise them based on your
understanding of categories of numbers.

Rational numbers a Mathematics Form One
A rational number is any number that can be written in the form of , where a
b
and b are integers, and b ≠ 0. The condition b ≠ 0 is essential because division
by zero is not defined. The set of rational numbers is denoted by the symbol ℚ.

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Mathematics form 1.indd 7
Mathematics form 1.indd 7 25/10/2024 09:51:02