DECIMAL SYSTEM 295 DECLABATION OF TNDEP'E reduced, as it is called, to decimal frac- tions, without leaving a remainder. Common fractions, such as 1-2, 2-3, 1-4, 3-7, and 9-25, for instance, can be re- duced to decimal fractions only by mul- tiplying the numerator and denominator of each by such a number as will convert the denominator into 10, or 100, 1,000, etc. (The common process is merely an abridgement of this.) But that is pos- sible only when the denominator divides 10, or iOO, without remainder. Thus, of the above denominators, 2 is con- tained in 10, 5 times; 4 in 100, 25 times; and 25 in 100, 4 times; therefore, 1 1x5 5 1 1x25 2 ~ 2x5 "~ 10 ~ " ' 4 ~ 4x25 25 9 9x4 36 = = .25; — = = .36 100 25 25x4 100 But neither 3 nor 7 will divide 10, or any power of 10; and therefore these numbers cannot produce powers of 10 by multiplication. In such cases we can only approximate to the value of the fraction. DECIMAL SYSTEM, the name given to any system of weights, measures, or money in which the unit is always multi- plied by 10 or some power of 10 to give a higher denomination, and divided by 10 or a power of 10 for a lower denom- ination. This system has been rigidly carried out in France, and the principle is observed in the coinage of Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the United States, and other countries. To express the higher denominations, that is to say, the unit multiplied by 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, the French make use of the pre- ifixes deca, hecta, kilo, myria, derived from the Greek; thus the meter being the unit of length, decameter is 10 meters, hectometer 100 meters, kilo- meter 1,000 meters. To express lower denominations, that is, tenths, hun- dredths, etc., the Latin prefixes deci, centi, nnUli are used in the same way; thus a centiliter is the hundredth part of a liter, deciliter the tenth part of a liter. The basis of the whole system is the linear measure, the unit of which is the meter, supposed to be the ten-mil- lionth part of a quadrant of the earth's meridian (39.37 inches). The square of 10 meters, or square decameter, called an are, is the unit of surface measure. The cube of the tenth part of the meter, or cubic decimeter, called liter, is the U.nit of liquid capacity. The cube of the ineter, called a stere, is the unit of solid measure. The weight of a cubic centi- meter of distilled water at 39.2° F. (4° C), called a gramme, is the unit of weight. The unit of money is the franc, which is divided into decimes and centimes. DECIUS (de'shus), a Roman emperor; born in Pannonia, and succeeded Philip- pus, whom he defeated, in 249. He dis- tinguished himself by an expedition against the Goths, and by persecuting the Christians. In his march against the Goths he entered a morass, where he and his army perished in an attack of the enemy, A. D. 251. DECK, a horizontal platform or floor extending from side to side of a ship, and formed of planking supported by the beams. In ships of large size there are several decks one over the other. The quarter-deck is that above the up- per-deck, reaching forward from the stern to the gangway. DECKER, THOMAS. See Dekker. Thomas. DECLARATION. (1) That part of the process or pleadings in which a state- ment of the plaintiff's complaint against the defendant is set forth, with the ad- ditional circumstances of time and place, when and where the injury was com- mitted where these are requisite. (2) A simple affirmation allowed in certain cases to be taken instead of an oath or solemn affirmation. (3) The statement made by a prisoner on being arrested on suspicion of a crime, which is taken down in writing. DECLARATION OF INDEPEND- ENCE, a document drawn up by a com- mittee of the American Congress, con- sisting of Thomas Jefferson, of Vir- ginia; John Adams, of Massachusetts; Roger Sherman, of Connecticut; Robert R. Livingston, of New York; and Benja- min Franklin, of Pennsylvania. A draft was reported by this committee on June 28. On July 2 a resolution was adopted declaring the colonies free and independent States, and on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was agreed to, engrossed on paper, and signed by John Hancock, President. It was after- wai'd engrossed on parchment and signed by the representatives of the States as below. The independence of the United States was acknowledged by France, Jan. 16, 1778, and by Holland, April 19, 1782; and provisional articles of peace were signed by England, Sept. 3, 1782. The Declaration, as agreed to, fol- lows: A DECLARATION BY THE BEPEESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED When, in the course of human events, it be- comes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of
