GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE Maths GlossaryNumerator

Numerator - GCSE Maths Definition

Reviewed by: Dan Finlay

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The numerator is the top number in a fraction. It shows how many parts of a whole you have. For example, in the fraction 3/4, the number 3 is the numerator - it means you have 3 equal parts out of 4 equal parts in total. Understanding what a numerator shows is important in many GCSE Mathematics questions, as it tells us the amount or quantity we are dealing with. Examples of real-world problems requiring a clear understanding of a numerator include sharing a sum of money or allocating farm fields to different crops.

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Dan Finlay

Reviewer: Dan Finlay

Expertise: Maths Subject Lead

Dan graduated from the University of Oxford with a First class degree in mathematics. As well as teaching maths for over 8 years, Dan has marked a range of exams for Edexcel, tutored students and taught A Level Accounting. Dan has a keen interest in statistics and probability and their real-life applications.

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