NCERT Class 8 Maths Chapter 1: Rational Numbers - Explanation 1. What are Rational Numbers? A rational number is a number that can be expressed in the form p/q , where: p and q are integers. q ≠ 0 (denominator cannot be zero). Examples: 5, 5/1, 7/2 (All these are rational numbers.) 2. Properties of Rational Numbers Rational numbers follow several mathematical properties: (i) Closure Property Rational numbers are closed under addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Example: (which is also a rational number). 1/2 + 3/4 = 1 2/3 - 1/3 = 1/3 2/3 x 3/4 = 6/12 = 1/6 Not closed under division (as division by zero is not defined). 5 ÷ 3 = 2.666... (ii) Commutative Property Addition and multiplication of rational numbers are commutative . 2 + 3 = 3 + 2 2 x 3 = 3 x 2 (iii) Associative Property Addition and multiplication are associative . (2 + 3) + 4 = 2 + (3 + 4) (2 x 3) x 4 = 2 x (3 x 4) (iv) Distributive Property Multiplication distributes ove...