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What does it mean when there is a number above and below a dash in algebra?

User Wsanville
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2 Answers

4 votes

Final answer:

In algebra, a number above and below a dash represents a division operation. The number above the dash is the numerator and the number below the dash is the denominator.

Step-by-step explanation:

In algebra, when there is a number above and below a dash, it usually represents a division operation. The number above the dash is called the numerator, and the number below the dash is called the denominator. The numerator represents the quantity being divided, while the denominator represents the divisor.

For example, if we have the fraction 3/4, the numerator is 3 and the denominator is 4. This fraction means that we divide 3 into 4 equal parts.

User Laurent Michel
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6.1k points
4 votes

The notation of a bar (vinculum, or overbar) over a whole number

doesn't seem to be very common. Here are some possibilities as to

what it could mean:

It is sometimes used as a grouping symbol, as in a fraction:

_____ __

3 + 1 x 5 = 20 so 67 = 67

I have also seen it used to refer to the average:

_ __

x = {1,2,6}, x = 3 so 67 = 67

(the average of one number is itself, of course).

I have also heard that it can be used to mean "1000 times whatever is

underneath", especially with Roman numerals - see the following Web

page, Final Answers by Gerard P. Michon:



User Daniel Stevens
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4.7k points