denominator
Other forms: denominators
Write a fraction like 1/2 and the denominator is the number on the bottom. In this case, the 2.
Another word for denominator is divisor. Both of these words refer to the number under the line in a common fraction. Similarly, when you're talking about statistical values, a denominator refers to the whole number or population from which samples are taken. The national census, for example, gathers the total number of people and households in the country so that there is a denominator by which to compare statistics like unemployment or welfare.
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the divisor of a fractiontypes:common denominatoran integer that is a common multiple of the denominators of two or more fractionstype of:divisorthe number by which a dividend is divided
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Vocabulary lists containing denominator
The Latin root "nominare," meaning "to name," is related to those "onym" words: synonym, antonym, homonym! The "onym" root, meaning "name" comes from the Greek language, which explains the "y," the signature letter for words with Greek ancestry. More Latin Love, Volume II lists: cadere, fluere, iacere, and vertere! ELA Common Core State Standard: "Use common, grade-appropriate Greek or Latin affixes and roots as clues to the meaning of a word."
These words have a common denominator — they're all about fractions. Practice this list and review arithmetic operations, decimals, and the difference between a numerator and a denominator.