Japanese word

分母

Pronunciation

Romajibunbo

Meaning

  • noundenominator

Example

この分数の分母は三です。ko no bun sū no bun bo wa san de su

The denominator of this fraction is three.

Illustration for 分母 (denominator)

More examples

二つの分数を比べる前に、分母をそろえます。futa tsu no bun sū o kura be ru mae ni bun bo o so ro e ma su

Before comparing two fractions, we make their denominators the same.

Core concept

Identifies the number that sets how many equal parts make up one whole, giving the fraction its scale.

Common phrases

  • 分母をそろえるbun bo o so ro e ru

    make the denominators the same

  • 分母の最小公倍数bun bo no sai shō kō bai sū

    least common multiple of the denominators

  • 分母が異なるbun bo ga koto na ru

    have different denominators

  • 分母が同じbun bo ga ona ji

    have the same denominator

Definition in Japanese

分数で、全体をいくつに等分したかを示す下側の数。bun sū de zen tai o i ku tsu ni tō bun shi ta ka o shime su shita gawa no kazu

Word origin

As a Sino-Japanese term, 分母 (bunbo, "denominator") combines 分 (bun, "part") and 母 (bo, "mother"), naming the base number of a fraction as its "mother."

Usage tips

  • A denominator can change when a fraction is rewritten in an equivalent form, while the fraction's value remains unchanged.

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