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

Related Words

• figure
• statistic
• sum
• total