Dec·i·mal a. Of or pertaining to decimals; numbered or proceeding by tens; having a tenfold increase or decrease, each unit being ten times the unit next smaller; as, decimal notation; a decimal coinage.
Decimal arithmetic, the common arithmetic, in which numeration proceeds by tens.
Decimal fraction, a fraction in which the denominator is some power of 10, as ²/₁₀, ²⁵/₁₀₀, and is usually not expressed, but is signified by a point placed at the left hand of the numerator, as .2, .25.
Decimal point, a dot or full stop at the left of a decimal fraction. The figures at the left of the point represent units or whole numbers, as 1.05.
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.
decimal fraction
n : a proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10 [syn: decimal]