The decimal point, or decimal comma, is a mark placed to the left of a number to show that the number refers to part of a whole number. For example .1 meter is not a whole meter but is only one tenth of a meter and .5 meter is not five meters, but is only five tenths of a meter. 3.7 meters is three and seven tenths of a meter. Numbers like these are used in the unfoldingWord® Simplified Text (UST).
In some countries people use a decimal point, and in other countries people use a decimal comma. So translators in countries that use a decimal comma would write “3.7 meters” as “3,7 meters.” In some cultures people prefer fractions. (See [Fractions](../translate-fraction/01.md).)
In the UST, parts of a number are written as decimals or fractions. When they are used with a measurement such as meters, grams, and liters, the are usually written as decimals.
For telling about parts of a number, the unfoldingWord® Literal Text (ULT) uses fractions, and the UST uses mostly decimals when the number is used with a measurement. Another difference between the ULT and the UST is that when measuring [Biblical Distance](../translate-bdistance/01.md), [Biblical Weight](../translate-bweight/01.md), and [Biblical Volume](../translate-bvolume/01.md), they use different systems, so the numbers in the ULT and the UST are not the same for these measures.
> They are to make an ark of acacia wood. Its length must be **two and a half cubits**; its width will be **one cubit and a half**; and its height will be **one cubit and a half**. (Exodus 25:10 ULT)
> Tell the people to make a sacred chest from acacia wood. It is to be **one meter** long, **0.7 meter wide**, and **0.7 meter** high. (Exodus 25:10 UST)
> **about 6.5 liters** of a fine flour offering, mixed with olive oil, to be an offering, and about **one third liter** of olive oil. (Leviticus 14:10 UST)
>> “**about six and a half liters** of a fine flour offering, mixed with olive oil, to be an offering, and about **one third liter** of olive oil.”