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

1905-10

British Dictionary definitions for real numbers

real number

noun

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

real numbers in Science

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, ³/₇ , and pi (π) are all real numbers.