What does DECIMAL POINT represent in numerical notation?

The decimal point is a crucial component of numerical notation, serving as the symbol that separates the whole number part from the fractional part in decimal numbers. This allows for the clear representation of values that are not whole numbers, indicating how many tenths, hundredths, or thousandths are present. For example, in the number 3.14, the decimal point separates the whole number 3 from the fractional part 14, which represents 14 hundredths.

In contrast to the role of the decimal point, terms like "whole number" refer to numbers without fractions (like 1, 2, or 3), the "fractional part" would simply describe the portion after the decimal point, and "scientific notation" is a method of writing numbers in a more compact form, often using powers of ten. Understanding the function of the decimal point is essential in interpreting and working with decimal numbers accurately.