Definition:Fraction/Numerator

Definition

Let $\dfrac a b$ be a fraction.

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

Also see

• Definition:Dividend

• Definition:Denominator

Linguistic Note

The term numerator reflects the fact that it numerates, that is, counts the objects defined in the denominator.

Thus, in the fraction $\dfrac 3 4$, it states that there are $3$ of the specified 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): fraction
• 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): fraction
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): numerator