Decimal numbers are a way to represent numbers that are not whole. They use a decimal point to separate the whole part from the fractional part. For example, in the number 3.14, the 3 is the whole number, and the 0.14 represents a fraction of a whole. This system allows us to express values that fall between whole numbers, making it easier to work with measurements, money, and other quantities.
In everyday life, we often encounter decimal numbers when dealing with money or measurements. For instance, if a coffee costs 2.50 dollars, the 2 represents two whole dollars, while the 0.50 indicates fifty cents. Understanding decimal numbers helps us perform calculations and make sense of various situations in our