Definition

1. Noun:
   • A proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10: A decimal fraction is a way of representing a number that is less than one, or a whole number plus a part less than one, using a base-10 system. It is written with a decimal point, and the digits to the right of the point represent the numerator, while the denominator is an implied power of ten (like 10, 100, 1000, etc.).

Usage

• The term "decimal fraction" is used in mathematics to describe the fractional part of a decimal number. It is the part that comes after the decimal point.
• It is a precise term often used in educational and technical contexts to distinguish this representation from common fractions (like 1/2 or 3/4).

Examples

• Noun:
  • In the number 3.75, the ".75" is a decimal fraction representing seventy-five hundredths.
  • To convert the common fraction 1/4 to a decimal fraction, you calculate 1 ÷ 4, which equals 0.25.
  • The value π is approximately 3.14159, where the digits after the decimal point form a non-terminating decimal fraction.

Advanced Usage

• "Recurring decimal fraction" or "Repeating decimal fraction": A decimal fraction where one or more digits repeat infinitely.
  • The fraction 1/3 converts to the recurring decimal fraction 0.333...
• "Terminating decimal fraction": A decimal fraction that has a finite number of digits after the decimal point.
  • The decimal fraction 0.125 terminates after three digits.

Variants and Related Words

• Decimal (n/adj): More general term relating to the base-ten number system. As a noun, it can refer to a number containing a decimal fraction.
  • The answer must be expressed as a decimal.
• Decimal point (n): The dot used to separate the whole number part from the fractional part in a decimal number.
  • Remember to place the decimal point correctly.

Synonyms

• Decimal: (when used to refer specifically to the fractional part)
• Fractional part: (the part of a number to the right of the decimal point)

Related Phrases

• "To three decimal places": Indicating precision in a calculation or measurement.
  • Calculate the result to three decimal places.
• "Decimal notation": The system of writing numbers using a decimal point.
  • Numbers are commonly written in decimal notation.

Noun

1. a proper fraction whose denominator is a power of 10