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  • Word comparison: numerator vs. denominator

numerator vs. denominator

numerator vs. denominator: What's the difference?

In a fraction (like ⅜), the top number (3) is called the numerator, and the bottom number (8) is called the denominator. The denominator indicates how many segments the whole is divided into; the numerator indicates how many of those segments there are (the fraction ⅜ means there are three segments out of a possible eight). When a fraction is considered as a division equation, the numerator is the dividend; the denominator is the divisor.

numerator

noun

  1. Arithmetic.,  the term of a fraction, usually above the line, that indicates the number of equal parts that are to be added together; the dividend placed over a divisor.

    The numerator of the fraction 2/3 is 2.

  2. a person or thing that numbers.

denominator

noun

  1. Arithmetic.,  that term of a fraction, usually written under the line, that indicates the number of equal parts into which the unit is divided; divisor.

  2. something shared or held in common; standard.

  3. Archaic.,  a person or thing that denominates.