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

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.)

• The integral part and the fractional part? – Cameron Williams Jul 16 '13 at 0:26

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.

• Ahh yes perfect. That's exactly what I was looking for. Will accept at some point. – Ben Jul 16 '13 at 0:31
• I thought your question was fine. Some use "radix" to designate the decimal separator. A decimal fraction refers to a fraction whose denominator is a power of ten. – amWhy Jul 16 '13 at 0:35
• Just to clarify, radix is the actual dot? Learning all sorts of new words today, cheers. – Ben Jul 16 '13 at 0:38
• Yes...radix would be the "dot"! ;-) – amWhy Jul 16 '13 at 0:39
• @Ben "Just to clarify, radix is the actual dot?" The radix is the base of the number system. Calling the dot a "radix" is just wrong. Calling it the "radix point" is correct (it's not a dot in all language locales). – Jim Balter Sep 2 at 4:00

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.

• whistle That's the sort of fancypants thing I was expecting, something that's fun to say, like "Mantissa". I think I may bow to the supreme non-slideruler, though. – Ben Jul 16 '13 at 0:36
• By the way, I assume the characteristic is the integer part? – Ben Jul 16 '13 at 0:37
• @Steve, that's right; follow the link I gave for more details. – vadim123 Jul 16 '13 at 4:35

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