Summary
Irrational numbers aren’t crazy — they just look it! In this BrainPOP movie, Tim and Moby introduce you to the difference between rational and irrational numbers. You’ll start out by learning how mathematicians divide up numbers, what a whole number is, and when fractions can be whole numbers. You’ll also learn what integers are and what they have to do with rational numbers. Discover how a decimal can be a rational number, and what it means when a decimal terminates or repeats. Finally, you’ll see what irrational numbers are and learn about some examples. And if all else fails, remember that fractions put the “ratio” in “rational”!
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Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Rational and Irrational Numbers:
- What is one new thing you learned about rational and irrational numbers?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining rational and irrational numbers.
- Draw or give one example of your own.