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Meaning & use

the numerator

noun·Academicmathematics

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UK/ðə ˈnjuːməreɪtə/
US/ðə ˈnuːməreɪtər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablemathematics

    The number written above the line in a fraction, showing how many equal parts are being counted.

    Grammar: Used with 'the' when speaking of one fraction: the numerator of three fifths is three.

    Patterns

    • the numerator of a fraction
    • numerator over denominator

    In the fraction three fifths, the numerator is three.

    If you double the numerator, the fraction becomes twice as large.

    Students must divide the numerator and denominator by the same number to simplify.

  2. nouncountablemathematics

    In an algebraic fraction, the expression above the dividing line, which is divided by the expression below it.

    Grammar: Can be an expression, not just a number: the numerator is x plus two.

    Patterns

    • factor the numerator
    • cancel the numerator

    Factor the numerator before you try to cancel any terms.

    The numerator of this expression is a quadratic.

    If the numerator equals zero, the whole fraction equals zero.

Word forms

pluralnumerators

Common combinations

numerator and denominator
Divide the numerator and denominator by two to simplify the fraction.
the numerator of a fraction
Write the numerator of the fraction above the line.
increase the numerator
If you increase the numerator, the fraction gets larger.
common numerator
Give both fractions a common numerator to compare them.
cancel the numerator
You can cancel the numerator against a matching factor below.

Synonyms and how they differ

top number
This is a casual classroom name for the same thing, but it is less precise in algebra.

Opposites

denominator

Word family

denominator noun
the bottom number of a fraction
numeration noun
the act of counting or a system of naming numbers
fraction noun
a number expressed as one number over another

Commonly confused: the numerator or denominator? the numerator or numeral?

the numerator vs denominator

The numerator is on top and counts parts; the denominator is below and shows the total number of equal parts.

the numerator vs numeral

A numeral is any written symbol for a number, like 7 or VII, and has nothing to do with fractions.

Practice

In the fraction 5/8, which number is the numerator?

Make it your own

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