A recurring decimal is one that has a digit or sequence of digits that repeat endlessly.

A terminating decimal is one that has a finite number of digits after the decimal point.

A rational number is one that can be written in the form a/b where a and b are integers and b is not equal to 0.

An irrational number is one that cannot be written in the form a/b where a and b are integers and b is not equal to 0.

A surd is an irrational number expressed as the root of a rational number.

Accuracy of final answers

Maths

In the prior unit, pupils explored the concept of square root, including calculating this on their calculators. In this unit, pupils work with surds and the notion that a surd is both an operation and the result of that operation.

In this unit pupils will learn how to recognise surds, handle them in calculations and rationalise fractions with surds as denominators.

Surds

True or false? The group of integers includes negative numbers.

A {{}} number is one that **can** be written in the form $$a \over b$$ where $$a$$ and $$b$$ are both integers and $$b \ne 0$$.

Which of these numbers is **not** a whole number?

Press the $$\pi$$ button on your calculator. What is the sixth digit?

Enter $$\sqrt{5}$$ on your calculator. What is the second digit?

A circle has a diameter of 3 cm. What is the circumference of the circle to 1 decimal place?

Enter $$\sqrt[3]{64}$$ on your calculator. What is the answer?

Which of these is an example of a recurring decimal? 

Accuracy of final answers

Lesson outcome