Com·plex a.
1. Composed of two or more parts; composite; not simple; as, a complex being; a complex idea.
Ideas thus made up of several simple ones put together, I call complex; such as beauty, gratitude, a man, an army, the universe. --Locke.
2. Involving many parts; complicated; intricate.
When the actual motions of the heavens are calculated in the best possible way, the process is difficult and complex. --Whewell.
Complex fraction. See Fraction.
Complex number Math., in the theory of numbers, an expression of the form a + b√-1, when a and b are ordinary integers.
Syn: -- See Intricate.
Frac·tion n.
1. The act of breaking, or state of being broken, especially by violence. [Obs.]
Neither can the natural body of Christ be subject to any fraction or breaking up. --Foxe.
2. A portion; a fragment.
Some niggard fractions of an hour. --Tennyson.
3. Arith. or Alg. One or more aliquot parts of a unit or whole number; an expression for a definite portion of a unit or magnitude.
Common fraction, or Vulgar fraction, a fraction in which the number of equal parts into which the integer is supposed to be divided is indicated by figures or letters, called the denominator, written below a line, over which is the numerator, indicating the number of these parts included in the fraction; as ½, one half, ⅖, two fifths.
Complex fraction, a fraction having a fraction or mixed number in the numerator or denominator, or in both. --Davies & Peck.
Compound fraction, a fraction of a fraction; two or more fractions connected by of.
Continued fraction, Decimal fraction, Partial fraction, etc. See under Continued, Decimal, Partial, etc.
Improper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is greater than the denominator.
Proper fraction, a fraction in which the numerator is less than the denominator.
complex fraction
n : a fraction with fractions in the numerator or denominator
[syn: compound fraction]