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Webster 1913 Edition


Numerator

Nu′mer-a′tor

,
Noun.
[L.
numerator
: cf. F.
numérateur
.]
1.
One who numbers.
2.
(Math.)
The term in a fraction which indicates the number of fractional units that are taken.
☞ In a vulgar fraction the numerator is written above a line; thus, in the fraction 5⁄9 (five ninths) 5 is the numerator; in a decimal fraction it is the number which follows the decimal point. See
Fraction
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Numerator

NU'MERATOR

,
Noun.
[L.]
1.
One that numbers.
2.
In arithmetic, the number in vulgar fractions which shows how many parts of a unit are taken. Thus when a unit is divided into 9 parts, and we take 5, we express it thus, 5/9, that is, five ninths; 5 being the numerator, and 9 the denominator.