What does "non-terminating" refer to in mathematical terms?

"Non-terminating" in mathematical terms specifically refers to a decimal that continues infinitely without ending. This often occurs with repeating decimals, which do not settle into a finite number of digits. For instance, the decimal representation of ( \frac{1}{3} ) is 0.333..., indicating that the 3 repeats indefinitely. This characteristic of being non-terminating is essential in understanding the properties of rational numbers versus irrational numbers, as irrational numbers have non-terminating, non-repeating decimals. Recognizing this helps distinguish between numbers that can be represented as fractions and those that cannot, such as ( \pi ) or ( \sqrt{2} ), which are also non-terminating but do not repeat.

The other options, while they describe characteristics of different types of sequences or processes, do not accurately define "non-terminating." A sequence that ends refers to a finite process, a fixed series of numbers would not classify as non-terminating either, and a terminable process directly opposes the idea of something being non-terminating. Understanding the specific context of "non-terminating" is crucial for grasping concepts in mathematics related to number types and their properties.