noun

numerator

NOO-muh-ray-ter/ˈnuːməreɪtər/

The top number in a fraction.

In the fraction three-fourths, the numerator is three.

$A large handwritten fraction 3/4, with a restrained colored-pencil oval around only the upper number 3, isolates the numerator without explanatory wording.$

Etymology

numeratLatinto count, number

+orLatinone who or that which

A numerator is literally a “counter” or “numberer.” In a fraction, the upper number does the counting: it states how many of the fractional parts are being taken.

In context

Homeschool Pop6:42

Remember, we're asking for the fraction of the pets that are cats. How many cats are there? Yeah, three! So, what's the numerator?

Fractions for Kids | Classic Homeschool Pop Lesson

More examples

To add fractions with the same denominator, add their numerators.
Multiplying the numerator and denominator by two leaves the fraction unchanged.
A fraction equals zero when its numerator is zero.

Forms

numerator · numerators