real number

plural real numbers

1. mathematicsThe limit of a convergent sequence of rational numbers, whether the limit is a rational number such as 2, -5, or 2/7 or whether the limit is an irrational number such as the square root of two or the circumference of the circle whose radius is one.

   Every integer is a real number, but not vice versa.

   1 more example

   A real number can be regarded abstractly as an equivalence class of Cauchy sequences of real numbers.ᵂᴾ

2. computingA floating-point number.

   Even if you pass sqrt an integer, it returns a real number.