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Glite Dictionary
decimal notation

decimal notation

3.4
A system for writing numbers with the digits 0 to 9
  • noun
  • /ˈdɛsɪməl noʊˈteɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : notación decimal
  • The decimal notation is essential for understanding mathematics.

Examples

  • Can you explain decimal notation to me?

  • In decimal notation, the number 15 is written as 15, using only the digits from 0 to 9.

  • Computers often use binary, but people are more familiar with decimal notation.

  • In the metric system, measurements are usually written in decimal notation for clarity.

  • The number 245 in decimal notation represents two hundred forty-five.

  • The teacher explained that decimal notation uses ten digits to represent all numbers.

  • When working with decimal notation, every number is expressed using a combination of the digits 0 through 9.

Synonyms

decimal system
vsdecimal notation
  • Specialized
2 3.1

A number system using digits 0–9 where each place is ten times the one to its right

refers more to the written digits themselves than place value rules
decimal numeration system
vsdecimal notation
  • Specialized
3.9

A way to write numbers using ten digits from zero to nine

focuses on the written digit symbols rather than the abstract base
decimal number system
vsdecimal notation
  • Specialized
3.7

A number system using digits 0 to 9 that counts in tens

emphasizes the visual symbols used to write numbers

Surface Forms

decimal notation singular
decimal notations plural

Morphology

decimal + notation

The meaning 'a system of writing numbers using ten digits' is directly derivable from combining 'decimal' (based on ten) with 'notation' (a system of symbols for representing information). This adjective+noun compositional pattern is standard and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Decimal notation comes from the simple idea of counting on ten fingers: people grouped numbers by tens and wrote them in places for ones, tens, hundreds. That's why decimal notation means a system that uses the ten digits 0 to 9 and the position of each digit to show its value.