103 LearnersLast updated on July 4th, 2025
Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are used for counting and representing quantity. These are whole numbers excluding factors and decimals. In this article, cardinal numbers and its application will be discussed.
What are Cardinal Numbers?
Cardinal numbers are often associated with natural numbers used for counting, typically starting from 1. For example, 8 books, 3 pens, etc. These numbers represent whole quantities and are not expressed as decimals or fractions.
Cardinal numbers help in determining the total count of objects, such as children gathered for an activity. The smallest cardinal number is 1 since 0 cannot be used for counting.
The number of elements in a given set is referred to as the cardinality of that set. For example, the set {2, 4, 6, 8} consists of 4 elements.
Cardinal Numbers vs. Ordinal Numbers
The two different numerical representations are cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers. To learn how they differ from one another, we will now look at their key differences:
| Cardinal Numbers | Ordinal Numbers |
| The numbers we use to indicate the quantity of objects. | The numbers that represent the rank or position of objects in a sequence. |
| Cardinal numbers give us the answer to “how many” of something. | Ordinal numbers tell us ‘‘where’’ something is located. |
| Example: There are 5 pens in the box. | Example: Lena holds the 1st rank. |
| They start at 1 and extend to infinity. | They are written in the form: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. |
Cardinal Numbers from 1-100
The list of cardinal numbers from 1 to 100 forms the basis for understanding more complex numbers. Now, let’s look at a table that displays the counting numbers from 1 to 100:
Real-Life Applications of Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are used in real-life situations to count or measure quantities. We will now look at a few examples to learn how they can be applied:
- Cardinal numbers are fundamental in everyday situations like counting the number of family members, furniture, or other objects.
- These numbers aid in time management by tracking the hours spent on screens, sleeping, and other activities.
- Cardinal numbers help children count money or make financial decisions, such as calculating the amount to be saved.
- These numbers aid in time management by tracking the hours spent on screens, sleeping, and other activities.
- Sports coaches can count the number of players or maintain the score of each player.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them in Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers help students count natural numbers easily. However, students might make some common mistakes when dealing with problems related to cardinal numbers. Here are a few common mistakes along with the methods to avoid them:
Mistake 1
Missing Numbers in a Sequence
Students might fail to follow the correct order of numbers, or they might skip the numbers in a sequence that results in inaccuracy.
For example:
1, 3, 4 (incorrect)
1, 2, 3, 4 (correct).
Saying the cardinal numbers aloud and writing them frequently will help in learning them.
Mistake 2
Confusion between Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers
Students might write ordinal numbers instead of cardinal numbers.
For example:
Annie has the 5th pens (Incorrect)
Annie has 5 pens (correct)
Keep in mind the key difference between them. Cardinal numbers use counting numbers such as 1, 2, 3, etc. to represent the quantity, whereas ordinal numbers represent the position or rank in the sequence.
For example: 1st place, 2nd place, etc.
Mistake 3
Spelling Errors
One common error observed when writing cardinal numbers is spelling mistakes.
Example: Writing “ninty” instead of “ninety”.
Recall the spellings of the commonly misspelled cardinal numbers before writing them.
Mistake 4
Beginning with 0
They mistakenly consider 0 as a cardinal number.
Ensure that you start with 1 and not 0, as 1 is the smallest cardinal number.
Mistake 5
Assuming Decimals or Fractions as Cardinal Numbers
Some students assume decimals or fractions as cardinal numbers.
For example: 5.3, 2/5.
Understand that cardinal numbers are whole numbers that can be easily counted, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
Solved examples of Cardinal Numbers
Problem 1
There are 20 chocolates in the fridge. If 7 chocolates are taken out, how many chocolates remain?
There are 13 chocolates left.
Explanation
Given that the total number of chocolates = 20
Number of chocolates taken out = 7
Here, subtract 7 from 20 to find the remaining number of chocolates:
Remaining chocolates = 20 – 7 = 13
Problem 2
Cinderella has $1000. She buys clothes for $800. How much money is left with her?
The amount that is left with Cinderella is $200.
Explanation
We have
The total amount of money Cinderella had = $1000
Amount spent for clothes = $800
To calculate the remaining amount:
$1000 – $800 = $200
Problem 3
A school has 15 classrooms, and each classroom has 25 seats. Calculate the total number of seats.
The school has a total of 375 seats.
Explanation
Here, we have:
The number of classrooms is 15
The number of seats in each classroom is 25
The total number of seats = number of classrooms × number of seats per classroom
Total number of seats = 15 × 25 = 375
Problem 4
Annie has 200 books in her collection. If 64 more books are added, how many books are there in total?
Total number of books = 200 + 64
Explanation
Number of books Annie had = 200
Books added = 64
To find the total number of books, add the books she had and the number of books added:
Total number of books = 200 + 64
Problem 5
A teacher buys 40 cookies and wants to distribute them equally among her 20 students. How many cookies will each student receive?
The number of cookies each student receives is 2.
Explanation
Given that:
Total number of cookies = 40
Number of students = 20
To calculate the number of cookies each student receives, divide the total number of cookies (40) by the total number of students (20):
Cookies each student receives = 40/20 = 2
FAQs of Cardinal Numbers
1.Do natural numbers and cardinal numbers have the same meaning?
2.Is 0 the smallest cardinal number?
3.What is the significance of cardinal numbers in math?
4.What is the largest cardinal number?
5.What does the cardinality of a set mean?
6.How can children in Bahrain use numbers in everyday life to understand Cardinal Numbers?
7.What are some fun ways kids in Bahrain can practice Cardinal Numbers with numbers?
8.What role do numbers and Cardinal Numbers play in helping children in Bahrain develop problem-solving skills?
9.How can families in Bahrain create number-rich environments to improve Cardinal Numbers skills?
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Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana
About the Author
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
Fun Fact
: She loves to read number jokes and games.
