Definition:Fraction/Denominator

Definition

Let $\dfrac a b$ be a fraction.

The term $b$ is known as the denominator of $\dfrac a b$.

Examples

In the fraction $\dfrac 3 4$, the denominator is $4$.

The numerator is $3$.

Also see

• Definition:Divisor of Division Operation

• Definition:Numerator

• Results about denominators can be found here.

Linguistic Note

The term denominator derives from the word denomination which, in this context, means grouping of elements of the same kind.

Thus, in the fraction $\dfrac 3 4$, it states that the objects of the same kind in question (of which the numerator specifies that there are $3$) are quarters.

Sources

• 1974: Murray R. Spiegel: Theory and Problems of Advanced Calculus (SI ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Numbers: Real Numbers: $3$
• 1981: Murray R. Spiegel: Theory and Problems of Complex Variables (SI ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Complex Numbers: The Real Number System: $3$
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): denominator
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): fraction
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): denominator
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): fraction
• 2008: Ian Stewart: Taming the Infinite ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $3$: Notations and Numbers: The Dark Ages?
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): denominator
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): fraction