denominator n : the divisor of a fraction

English

Noun

1. The number or expression written below the line in a fraction.

Derived terms

• common denominator
• lowest common denominator

Related terms

• divisor
• numerator

Translations

Denominator is the name for the bottom part of a fraction. It tells you how many equal parts make up a whole, and is also used in the name of the fraction: "halves", "thirds", "quarters", "fifths", "sixths" and so on. The reduced fraction for a rational must have an integer denominator.

Example

If we take the fraction: \frac.

3 is the denominator and the name of the fraction is "two thirds" -or, more generally, "two over three". (2 is the numerator.)

Negative Fractions

In fractions involving negatives, the denominator is made to be positive by convention. Since any factor of -1 can be multiplied out into the numerator, any fraction can be rewritten to have a positive denominator. For example,

\frac = 1 \times \frac = \frac \times \frac = \frac = \frac.

See also

• Numerator
• Fraction
• Rational number