numerator

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablemathematics

   The top number in a fraction, which shows how many parts are being counted.

   Grammar: Countable: the numerator of a fraction; contrasted with denominator.

   Patterns

   • the numerator of a fraction

   In three-fifths, the numerator is three.

   To add fractions with the same denominator, you add the numerators.

   The numerator tells us how many slices of the pizza are left.

2. 2nouncountablemathematics

   The expression on top of a rational expression or a quantity being divided in a ratio.

   Grammar: Used in algebra and statistics: the numerator of a ratio.

   Patterns

   • the numerator of an expression

   Factor the numerator of the expression before you simplify.

   The numerator in the unemployment rate is the number of jobless people.

Word forms

Common combinations

the numerator of a fraction

Circle the numerator of each fraction.

numerator and denominator

The numerator and denominator share a common factor of four.

common numerator

Fractions can also be compared by finding a common numerator.

simplify the numerator

First simplify the numerator, then the denominator.

increase the numerator

If you increase the numerator, the fraction gets larger.

Synonyms and how they differ

top number

Top number is a casual classroom phrase for the numerator, while numerator is the exact term.

dividend

Dividend is the quantity being divided in a division problem, whereas numerator is the top part of a written fraction.

Opposites

Word family

denominator noun

the bottom number of a fraction

numeral noun

a symbol that represents a number

numerate adjective

good at basic mathematics

numeration noun

the act of counting or naming numbers

Commonly confused: numerator or numerator/numerical? numerator or numerator/denominator?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “numerator”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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