numerator

IPA/ˈnjuːməreɪtə(r)/
KK[nˈumərˌetɚ]IPA/ˈnuːməreɪtər/

numerator — noun

  • numeratorsingular
  • numeratorsplural

1. in a fraction, the number written on top, showing how many equal parts are being

1.nounB2
Definition

in a fraction, the number written on top, showing how many equal parts are being counted

Example

In 3/5, the 3 is the numerator and the 5 is the denominator.

numerator contrasted with denominator

Ms Chen asked the class to circle the numerator in each fraction.

circle the numerator in each fraction

Common collocations
  • the numerator of a fraction
  • circle the numerator
  • multiply the numerator
  • compare the numerators
Synonyms
  • top number

    an informal classroom explanation, not the formal maths term

Grammar Patterns

the numerator of a fraction

multiply the numerator by 2

write the numerator above the line

Usage Note

Usually explained together with denominator when someone teaches fractions. In school maths, verbs such as write, circle, compare, and multiply often take numerator as the object.

Common Mistakes

In 3/5, 5 is the numerator.
In 3/5, 3 is the numerator.
The numerator is the top number, not the bottom one.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Top number is a helpful classroom phrase for young learners, but numerator is the formal word used in maths books and tests. Denominator is the term learners confuse with it most often: the denominator is the lower number in a fraction and tells you how many equal parts make the whole, while the numerator tells you how many of those parts are being counted. Dividend belongs to division, not fractions in general. In 12 divided by 3, 12 is the dividend, but in 3/5, 3 is the numerator. So when a teacher says 'find the numerator', look at the top of the fraction, not the division sentence as a whole.

top numberdenominator ↗dividend ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • common numerator
  • same numerator

Phrases

  • find the numerator
  • multiply the numerator
  • write the numerator above the line
  • compare the numerators

Prepositions

  • numerator of a fraction
  • numerator in 3/5

Etymology

LatinEnglish

English took numerator from Latin through the language of mathematics. It comes from a Latin verb meaning to count or number, so the word originally carried the idea of something that names or counts a number.