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Name of Bar That Denotes a Repeating Decimal

Date: 08/30/2004 at 00:32:09
From: Stephen
Subject: Mathematical symbol name

What is the name of the bar that goes over a digit or group of digits 
that signifies that the digit or group repeats?

Date: 08/30/2004 at 06:19:51
From: Doctor Luis
Subject: Re: Mathematical symbol name

Hi Stephen,

Good question!  The bar is called a "vinculum", which is Latin for
"bind".  You can read more at the following web pages:

  http://mathcentral.uregina.ca/QQ/database/qq.09.96/mcclain1.html 

  http://mathworld.wolfram.com/RepeatingDecimal.html 

Let us know if you have any more questions.

- Doctor Luis, The Math Forum
  http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

Associated Topics:
Elementary Definitions
Elementary Fractions
High School Definitions
Middle School Definitions
Middle School Fractions

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