Revision Notes for CBSE Class 7 Maths Chapter 8 Rational Numbers - Free PDF Download
FAQs on Rational Numbers Class 7 Notes CBSE Maths Chapter 8 (Free PDF Download)
1. What is a rational number according to the CBSE Class 7 syllabus?
A rational number is any number that can be written in the form p/q, where p and q are integers and q ≠ 0. Examples include fractions and integers such as 3/5, -2/7, 4, etc.
2. What are the key properties of rational numbers Class 7 students should remember for revision?
The main properties of rational numbers are:
- Closure under addition, subtraction, and multiplication
- Commutativity of addition and multiplication
- Associativity of addition and multiplication
- Existence of identity elements (0 for addition, 1 for multiplication)
- Existence of inverse elements (additive inverse for every rational number, except 0 has a multiplicative inverse)
- Distributive property
3. How can you quickly identify if a number is rational during revision?
To check if a number is rational, see if it can be expressed as a fraction p/q with both p and q as integers (and q ≠ 0). If possible, it is a rational number. Otherwise, it is not.
4. What is the standard form of a rational number and why is it important in exams?
The standard form of a rational number is when the numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1, and the denominator is positive. Writing rational numbers in standard form makes comparison and calculation easier, which is essential in solving exam questions efficiently.
5. How are positive and negative rational numbers defined for revision purposes?
Positive rational numbers have both numerator and denominator with the same sign (both positive or both negative). Negative rational numbers have numerator and denominator with opposite signs. Zero is neither positive nor negative in rational numbers.
6. How do you find rational numbers between two rational numbers in Class 7 Maths?
To find rational numbers between two given rational numbers, write both with a common denominator or take their average (mean). Repeating this process gives as many rational numbers as needed, since infinite rational numbers exist between any two rational numbers.
7. Why is it necessary to convert rational numbers to the same denominator before comparing them or performing addition/subtraction?
Converting rational numbers to a common denominator makes it possible to compare or add/subtract them directly by working with the numerators. This step is crucial for accurate and fast calculations in both MCQs and written exam questions.
8. What arithmetic operations can be performed on rational numbers and what is the result?
Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division can be performed on rational numbers. The result of any of these operations is always a rational number.
9. What is the multiplicative inverse of a rational number, and how do you find it?
The multiplicative inverse of a rational number a/b is b/a (where a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0). Multiplying a rational number by its multiplicative inverse always results in 1.
10. How do rational numbers differ from irrational numbers?
Rational numbers can be written as p/q where q ≠ 0. Irrational numbers cannot be expressed as fractions (e.g. √2). Rational numbers have terminating or repeating decimals, while irrationals have non-terminating, non-repeating decimals.
11. What common mistakes should be avoided when working with rational numbers in revision and exams?
Students often forget to:
- Use the correct sign when performing operations with negative numbers
- Convert numbers to a common denominator before comparing or adding/subtracting
- Simplify answers to standard form
- Check for zero in the denominator, which is not allowed
12. Which topics in the Rational Numbers chapter should be prioritised for quick last-minute revision?
Focus on:
- Definition and identification of rational numbers
- Standard form and types (positive/negative)
- Arithmetic operations on rational numbers
- Properties: closure, commutative, associative, identity, inverse, and distributive laws
- Methods to compare and find numbers between two rationals

















