Dictionary Definition

denominator n : the divisor of a fraction

User Contributed Dictionary

English

Noun

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

Translations

The number or expression written below the line in a fraction

Extensive Definition

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.

denominator in Aymara: Pachjiri