Learn Russian: Ноль целых две сотых — это ведь тоже важно. - Zero and two hundredths is also important, you know.

Ноль целых две сотых — это ведь тоже важно.

Zero and two hundredths is also important, you know.

Breakdown of Ноль целых две сотых — это ведь тоже важно.

Questions & Answers about Ноль целых две сотых — это ведь тоже важно.

Why do we use the genitive plural целых after ноль?

In Russian decimal readings, the word целая (whole) is treated as a noun. After ноль, it takes the genitive plural form целых, just like nouns do after numbers 5 and above. You will always hear ноль целых for decimal numbers starting with zero.

Why does the sentence use the feminine две instead of the masculine два?

Mathematical fractions in Russian implicitly refer to a часть (part) or доля (portion), both of which are feminine words. Because of this hidden feminine noun, we always use the feminine forms одна and две when reading decimals.

Wait, shouldn't it be genitive singular after две? Why is сотых in the genitive plural?

That is a great catch! The rule you are thinking of applies to standard nouns. However, fraction words like сотая (hundredth) and десятая (tenth) are technically adjectives acting as nouns. After 2, 3, and 4, adjectives modifying feminine nouns often take the genitive plural form, which is the strict standard for reading mathematical fractions.

What exact nuance does ведь add here?

The particle ведь appeals to the listener's agreement or common sense. It translates roughly to 'you know' or 'after all', turning what could be a dry mathematical statement into a persuasive point.