Definition:Rational Number/Fraction/Numerator

Definition
Let $\dfrac a b$ be a fraction. The term $a$ is known as the numerator of $\dfrac a b$.

Linguistic Note
The term numerator reflects the fact that it numerates, that is, counts the objects defined in the denominator.

Thus, in the fraction $\dfrac 3 4$, it states that there are three of the specified quarters.

Also see

 * Definition:Dividend