decimal point
3
1.9
- noun
- /ˈdɛsɪməl pɔɪnt/
- Specialized
:
punto decimal
- In the number 3.14, the decimal point separates the whole number from the fractional part.
It's exactly on on that first decimal point every single time.
- It's exactly on on that first decimal point every single time.
- A binary number is very small if it ends with a lot of zeros and then the decimal point.
Examples
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What do I do with the decimal point?
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There were some differences in the first decimal points between our calculations and Newsholme's table.
Academic text (2013) -
So you move the decimal point over three places.
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It's exactly on on that first decimal point every single time.
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Some people just have no respect for decimal points.
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You move the decimal point two places to the right.
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The numbers stand for the same thing, with or without the decimal point.
Academic text (2013) -
There was no decimal point back in the day.
Blog text (24) -
Everything adds up, right down to the last decimal point.
Fiction book (2002) -
Well, you add two zeros to the 7,000 to make up for moving the decimal point two places to the right.
Synonyms
574
1.0
A small dot that separates whole numbers from decimals
228
1.0
A very small round mark on a surface, like a speck of paint
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the dot used to separate the whole number part from the fractional part' is directly and transparently derived from 'decimal' (relating to base-ten notation/fractions) and 'point' (a small mark or dot). This is a standard, cross-linguistically common technical term in number notation, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.
Etymology
Decimal point comes from decimal, meaning 'parts of ten', and point, meaning the small dot that marks the place between the whole number and its fraction. That's why today decimal point means 'the dot that separates the whole number from the fractional part'.