nevneren

Nevneren is the part of a fraction that sits below the division line and indicates into how many equal parts the whole is divided. In the fraction a/b, the nevneren is b. The numerator, referred to in Norwegian as the teller, shows how many of those parts are being considered.

Key properties and rules. The nevneren cannot be zero, because division by zero is undefined. If both the numerator and the nevneren are multiplied by the same nonzero number, the value of the fraction does not change. If the nevneren is negative, the sign can be moved to the numerator so that a/(-b) = (-a)/b. Fractions can be simplified by dividing both the numerator and the nevneren by their greatest common divisor. When adding or subtracting fractions, a common or least common denominator is often used, typically found by combining the nevnerer.

Broader usage and context. In algebra and arithmetic, the nevneren represents the scale of the fraction: it determines the size of the parts into which the whole is divided. In fractions with variable denominators, the domain of the expression excludes values that make the nevneren zero. The concept also extends to rational expressions and fractions with units, where the nevneren defines the unit’s divisor.

See also. Denominator (mathematics). Etymology and terminology are standard in Norwegian mathematical language, with nevneren referring specifically to the denominator in a fraction.