Rational numbers, like fractions and mixed numbers, are really important in everyday life, especially for students learning Algebra I. Knowing how to use these numbers helps us in many situations.

1. Cooking and Baking

When you cook or bake, recipes often require measurements that are in fractions.

For example, if a recipe asks for $\frac{3}{4}$ cup of sugar and you want to make double the amount, you will need to calculate $\frac{3}{4} \times 2 = \frac{3}{2} = 1\frac{1}{2}$ cups of sugar.

About 60% of people in the U.S. cook at home regularly, so knowing how to work with these numbers is a useful skill.

2. Personal Finance

Rational numbers are also important when it comes to managing money.

For instance, if you earn $2,400 a month and want to save$\frac{1}{5}$of it, you would calculate$2,400 \times \frac{1}{5} = $480 in savings.

Many people struggle with managing their money, and around 73% of Americans need help with understanding finances, making it clear that knowing how to use rational numbers is important.

3. Construction and Carpentry

In construction, people often use fractions for measurements.

If a piece of wood is $\frac{5}{8}$ inch thick and you need to cut off $\frac{1}{4}$ inch, you should calculate $\frac{5}{8} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{5}{8} - \frac{2}{8} = \frac{3}{8}$ inches left after cutting.

With over 7 million workers in construction as of 2020, knowing how to work with rational numbers is very relevant in this field.

4. Sports Statistics

Rational numbers are also common in sports data.

For example, if a basketball player has a free throw percentage of $75\%$, that means they scored $\frac{75}{100}$ of their shots. Understanding these numbers helps with ratios and proportions in sports.

By connecting rational numbers to everyday activities, students can see how useful they are and improve their skills in Algebra I.