What is "circulating decimal"

Decimal \Dec"i*mal\, n. A number expressed in the scale of tens; specifically, and almost exclusively, used as synonymous with a decimal fraction.

Circulating decimal, or Circulatory decimal, a decimal fraction in which the same figure, or set of figures, is constantly repeated; as, 0.354354354; -- called also recurring decimal, repeating decimal, and repetend.

Circulate \Cir"cu*late\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Circulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Circulating.] [L. circulatus, p. p. of circulare, v. t., to surround, make round, circulari, v. i., to gather into a circle. See Circle.]

1. To move in a circle or circuitously; to move round and return to the same point; as, the blood circulates in the body.
   --Boyle.

2. To pass from place to place, from person to person, or from hand to hand; to be diffused; as, money circulates; a story circulates.

   Circulating decimal. See Decimal.

   Circulating library, a library whose books are loaned to the public, usually at certain fixed rates.

   Circulating medium. See Medium.

n. a decimal with a sequence of digits that repeats itself indefinitely [syn: recurring decimal, repeating decimal]