What are the two 'sides' of a decimal number called? [duplicate]

$\begingroup$

Is there a fancy name for the "left side" and "right side" of a decimal number?

(That is, the pre-decimal part and the post-decimal part.)

$\endgroup$ 1

3 Answers

$\begingroup$

We really do use "integer part" and "fractional part" respectively: see Wikipedia, e.g., on decimal fractions.

The integer part, or integral part of a decimal number is the part to the left of the decimal separator. (See also truncation.) The part from the decimal separator to the right is the fractional part.

$\endgroup$ 7 $\begingroup$

In normal use, "integer part" and "fractional part" does reign supreme.

However if the decimal is used in the context of logarithms, the terms you want are "characteristic" and "mantissa". A generation ago, when sliderules were common, these terms were better known.

$\endgroup$ 3 $\begingroup$

The left side of the decimal is called whole number and the right side of the decimal is known as decimal.

$\endgroup$

You Might Also Like