noun

denominator

dih-NAH-mih-nay-ter/dɪˈnɑːmɪneɪtər/

The lower number of a fraction specifying its unit of division.

The denominator tells us how many equal parts make a whole.

$A large handwritten stacked fraction 3/4 on a plain sheet, with the bottom numeral 4 distinctly circled in red colored pencil.$

Etymology

deLatincompletely

+nominLatinto name

+atorLatinone that performs an action

The pieces make the denominator a “namer”: it identifies the fractional unit rather than counting those units. In three fifths, the bottom number names the units as fifths.

In context

Stephen Sekula42:27

r squared in the denominator so we got x squared plus y squared down here

PHYS1308 - 9/3/15

More examples

In the fraction 3/4, the denominator is 4.
We find a common denominator before adding these fractions.
Dividing the numerator and denominator by two simplifies the fraction.

Forms

denominator · denominators

Similar words

divisor: The number you divide by, not necessarily written in a fraction.