In a fraction, which term refers to the top number?

The term that refers to the top number in a fraction is known as the numerator. The numerator represents the number of parts being considered out of a whole, which is expressed by the fraction. For example, in the fraction 3/4, the 3 is the numerator, indicating that there are 3 parts out of a total of 4 parts.

In a fraction, the bottom number is referred to as the denominator, which signifies the total number of equal parts in a whole. The term "factor" refers to numbers that can be multiplied together to obtain another number, and "quotient" is the result of division. Therefore, understanding the role of the numerator helps in grasping the fundamental concepts of fractions and their operation in mathematics.