real number

American  

[ree-uhl, reel] / ˈri əl, ril /

noun

Mathematics.

1. a rational number or the limit of a sequence of rational numbers, as opposed to a complex number.

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real number British  

noun

1. a number expressible as a limit of rational numbers See number

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real number Scientific  

/ rē′əl /

1. A number that can be written as a terminating or nonterminating decimal; a rational or irrational number. The numbers 2, −12.5, 3/7, and pi (π) are all real numbers.

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Etymology

Origin of real number

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

The administration’s suspect arithmetic is in many respects deliberately aimed at portraying some condition as better than the real numbers show.

From Los Angeles Times

"It's horrific to actually see real numbers," she said.

From BBC

It is often difficult to independently verify the real numbers of casualties in such attacks due to access restrictions and the fear of reprisals among witnesses and local media.

From BBC

The nurse added that the stats were likely lower than the real number because staff find it difficult to find time to report them.

From BBC

Earlier, Bloomberg reported that 18,000 undocumented Indian migrants living illegally in the US had so far been identified, but the real number is likely to be higher.

From BBC