real number

[ ree-uh l, reel ]
/ ˈri əl, ril /

noun Mathematics.

a rational number or the limit of a sequence of rational numbers, as opposed to a complex number.
Also called real.

Origin of real number

First recorded in 1905–10

Words nearby real number

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British Dictionary definitions for real number

real number

noun

a number expressible as a limit of rational numbers See number (def. 1)

Scientific definitions for real number

real number
[ rē′əl ]

A number that can be written as a terminating or nonterminating decimal; a rational or irrational number. The numbers 2, -12.5, 37, and pi (π) are all real numbers.