notional
Existing only in theory or as a suggestion rather than in reality.
/ˈnəʊʃənəl/
Adjective
This term describes things that are imagined or hypothesized for the sake of calculation or argument. It carries a sense of abstraction, suggesting a baseline or a theoretical model used to simplify a complex reality.
In legal or financial contexts, it often refers to a face value that serves as a reference point for payments, without implying that the full amount is actually exchanged or owned. It is more clinical and precise than "imaginary," which suggests a fantasy.