Definition:Decimal Expansion/Decimal Point

Definition

Let $x \in \R$ have a decimal expansion:

$n. d_1 d_2 d_3 \ldots$

The dot that separates the integer part from the fractional part of $x$ is called the decimal point.

That is, it is the radix point when used specifically for a base $10$ representation.

Also denoted as

The usage of the decimal point varies between the various cultures.

The American system is to use a dot placed on the line:

$12.345$

The British system is to place the dot centrally:

$12 \cdotp 345$

The European system is to use a comma:

$12, \! 345$

Consequently the thousands separator for European numbers is either a dot:

$12.345, \! 678$

or a space:

$12 \, 345, \! 678$

In $\mathsf{Pr} \infty \mathsf{fWiki}$ the British and American systems can be found for the decimal point, while the European usage of the space is generally used for the thousands separator.

Also known as

Some (mainly historical) sources refer to the decimal point as the decimal dot.