# Can a decimal be a monomial?

## Question:

Can a decimal be a monomial?

## Definition of a Monomial:

A monomials is a polynomial expression that has just one term. Since a monomial is a term of a polynomial, it consists of a product of a real number, variables, and/or positive integer powers of variables. We can determine if a given expression is a monomial by determining if it satisfies the definition of a monomial.

Yes, a decimal can be a monomial. A decimal is a real number that contains a decimal point. By definition, a monomial is a single term that is a product of a real number, variables, and/or positive integer powers of variables. By this definition, a monomial can be a single real number, and when this is the case, we call it a constant monomial. Since a decimal is a real number, it satisfies the definition of a constant monomial, so it is a monomial.

For example, the following are all decimals that are constant monomials.

• 3.14
• 8.992
• 132.50982

All of these are single real numbers, so they are constant monomials, and we see that a decimal can be a monomial.