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Consider the fraction 3/7.

In Mathematics, "7" in the expression is called "denominator" of the fraction. But in the case of "3", some people call it "nominator", and some call it "numerator". Which one is true and more commonly used?

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closed as general reference by nohat May 23 '12 at 18:24


A nominator is one who nominates. If we were going to cut a pizza, and someone shouted, "Cut it into twelfths!", then the shouter would be the nominator, for nominating 12 slices. –  J.R. May 23 '12 at 18:00
OED says this meaning of "nominator" is "rare". –  GEdgar May 23 '12 at 18:30

1 Answer 1

up vote 10 down vote accepted

I was taught that "numerator" was the correct form. I have never heard "nominator" until now. Google Ngrams seems to agree.

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