DECIMAL FRACTIONS Meaning and
Definition
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Decimal fractions are numeric expressions that represent part of a whole number or quantity. They are a numerical system used to express numbers in base 10, which is the most commonly used system in the modern world. In this system, numbers are divided into units, tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on, each represented by a digit in a specific position.
Decimal fractions are used to express numbers that fall between two whole numbers. The decimal point is a critical component of decimal fractions, as it separates the whole number part from the fractional part. After the decimal point, digits indicate the value of parts of the whole, such as tenths, hundredths, thousandths, and so on.
Decimal fractions are written using Arabic numerals, with the decimal point placed between digits to represent the fraction. For example, the number 3.14 is a decimal fraction. The digit “3” represents a whole number, while the digits “1” and “4” after the decimal point represent fractions of the whole. In this case, the digit “1” denotes tenths and the digit “4” denotes hundredths.
Decimal fractions are commonly used in many areas, including mathematics, science, engineering, finance, and everyday life. They provide a convenient and accurate method of expressing and calculating quantities that do not represent complete wholes. Understanding decimal fractions is essential for various mathematical operations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as for measurements, comparisons, and estimations.
Etymology of DECIMAL FRACTIONS
The word "decimal" is derived from the Latin word "decimus", which means "tenth". It comes from the Latin numeral "decem", meaning "ten". Similarly, the word "fraction" comes from the Latin word "fractus", which means "broken". In the context of mathematics, a fraction represents a part of a whole or a division of a quantity into equal parts. Therefore, "decimal fractions" refer to fractions where the denominator is a power of ten, allowing for the division of a whole unit into ten equal parts or multiples thereof.
