A rational number is any number that can be expressed as a fraction, where both the numerator and the denominator are integers. This means that rational numbers include whole numbers, fractions, and even negative numbers. For example, the number 1/2 is a rational number because it can be written as a fraction, while 3 and -4 are also rational because they can be expressed as 3/1 and -4/1, respectively. Rational numbers can be represented on a number line, and they can be either terminating or repeating decimals. For instance, 0.75 is a terminating decimal, while 0.333... (which represents 1/3) is a repeating decimal. Understanding rational numbers is essential in mathematics, as they form the basis for more complex