numerator

[ noo-muh-rey-ter, nyoo- ]

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: Compare denominator ( def 1 ).

   The numerator of the fraction 2/3 is 2.

2. a person or thing that numbers.

numerator

/ ˈnjuːməˌreɪtə /

noun

1. maths the dividend of a fraction Compare denominator

   the numerator of is 7

2. a person or thing that numbers; enumerator

numerator

/ no̅o̅′mə-rā′tər /

1. A number written above or to the left of the line in a common fraction to indicate the number of parts of the whole. For example, 2 is the numerator in the fraction 2 7 .

numerator

1. In mathematics , the number that appears on the top of a fraction . In the fraction 2/3, the numerator is 2. ( Compare denominator .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of numerator¹

1535–45; < Late Latin numerātor a counter, numberer, equivalent to Latin numerā ( re ) to number + -tor -tor

Example Sentences

But you have so many numerators in this case that need to be overhauled, need to be fixed.

From Salon

Accurate counts of gun-violence events — the numerators needed to calculate those rates — are hard to come by, too.

From Scientific American

We know they are going to add watch time to the denominator, but we have to increase the numerator as well.

From The Verge

All of these expressions, but especially 0/0, could take on any value you desire them to have, depending on the functions you put in the numerator and denominator.

From Literature

The hospitalization rate is calculated by dividing the number of hospitalizations—the numerator—by the number of known cases—the denominator.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• figure
• statistic
• sum
• total