My Math Forum why do we represent rational number by p/q?

 Elementary Math Fractions, Percentages, Word Problems, Equations, Inequations, Factorization, Expansion

 July 28th, 2019, 08:20 PM #1 Newbie   Joined: Jan 2019 From: bangladesh Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 why do we represent rational number by p/q? why do we represent rational number by p/q, why can't you not use m/n, x/y, c/y, a/c, etc. is there any meaning by (p/q)?
July 28th, 2019, 08:54 PM   #2
Math Team

Joined: May 2013
From: The Astral plane

Posts: 2,257
Thanks: 927

Math Focus: Wibbly wobbly timey-wimey stuff.
Quote:
 Originally Posted by aamenis why do we represent rational number by p/q, why can't you not use m/n, x/y, c/y, a/c, etc. is there any meaning by (p/q)?
As long as the numerator and denominator are integers (the denominator can't be 0) then it's a fraction. So you could also say that $\displaystyle \dfrac{ \Im }{ \mho }$ is a rational number so long as $\displaystyle \Im$ is an integer and $\displaystyle \mho$ is a non-zero integer. The symbols don't matter.

-Dan

July 29th, 2019, 05:31 AM   #3
Math Team

Joined: Dec 2013
From: Colombia

Posts: 7,674
Thanks: 2654

Math Focus: Mainly analysis and algebra
Quote:
 Originally Posted by aamenis why do we represent rational number by p/q, why can't you not use m/n, x/y, c/y, a/c, etc. is there any meaning by (p/q)?
Because $\frac{p}{q}=r \in \mathbb Q$, where $r$ then stands for rational?
It's just a convention, no different to using $x$ and $y$ as variables in the plane or $x$ and $t$ in one-dimensional motion.

 Tags number, p or q, rational, represent

 Thread Tools Display Modes Linear Mode

 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post v8archie Real Analysis 3 December 19th, 2015 12:24 AM Roli Algebra 14 June 10th, 2014 01:40 AM tva_vlad Algebra 1 October 7th, 2013 01:38 AM goodfeeling Algebra 17 October 26th, 2012 12:40 PM luketapis Algebra 8 June 22nd, 2012 12:18 AM

 Contact - Home - Forums - Cryptocurrency Forum - Top