
denominator
词源
源自晚期拉丁语 'denominator',意为'命名者',由 de- '完全' + nominare '命名' 组成。数学意义最早记录于1540年代。
noun
❶ 数学术语,指分数中位于下方的数字,表示整体被分成的份数。例如在分数3/4中,4就是分母。
“In the fraction 5/8, the denominator is 8.”
(在分数5/8中,分母是8。)
“To add fractions, they must have the same denominator.”
(分数相加时,它们必须有相同的分母。)
❶ 比喻用法,指群体中共同的特征或标准,常用于短语'lowest common denominator',表示迎合大多数人的最低标准。
“The TV show was designed to appeal to the lowest common denominator.”
(这个电视节目设计来迎合最低标准的观众。)
“We need to find a common denominator that everyone can agree on.”
(我们需要找到一个大家都能认同的共同标准。)
常见短语
lowest common denominator — 指群体中最低的标准或最普遍的特征,常带有贬义,表示为了迎合大众而降低标准。
“The newspaper's content has been reduced to the lowest common denominator to increase sales.”
(为了增加销量,这份报纸的内容已经降低到最低标准。)
common denominator — 指两个或多个事物共有的特征或因素,用于找到共同点或进行比较。
“The common denominator in all successful businesses is good customer service.”
(所有成功企业的共同点都是良好的客户服务。)