Is zero a rational number?

1 Answer
reudhreghs
Apr 3, 2016

Yes, though it's open to debate.

Explanation:

A rational number is a whole number divided by a whole number.

A whole number must be the sum of two other integers, as two integers can only ever make another integer.

Therefore, 0 is an integer because it is 3 + (-3), both of which are whole.

And so 0 may be written as a whole number divided by a whole number as

0/1 or even (3-3)/1 = 0

You can also think of 0 being an integer because it falls in the arithmetic sequence a_(n+1) = a_n + 1, where a_0 is the hypothetical lowest possible integer.

Related questions
See all questions in Rational and Irrational Numbers
Impact of this question
6987 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License