Ordinal Numbers

Introduction to Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers in mathematics are special numbers that show the position or order of objects or people. Instead of telling us “how many”, they tell us “which one” something is.

The common ordinal numbers are first, second, third, fourth, and so on. These numbers help us arrange things in order, like students standing in a line, dates in a calendar, or ranks in a race.

For example, in a running race, the winner is in the 1st position, the next runner is in the 2nd position, and the runner after that is in the 3rd position. Learning ordinal numbers makes it easy to understand order in our daily lives.

Table of Contents

• Definition of Ordinal Numbers
• Real-life Examples
• Ordinal Numbers from 1 to 100
• Difference Between Cardinal, Nominal, and Ordinal Numbers
• Solved Examples
• Practice Questions
• FAQs on Ordinal Numbers

Definition of Ordinal Numbers

An ordinal number is a number that shows the position or order of people, things, or objects. This number tells us that "what place" is something, not "how many". For example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. are ordinal numbers.

Real-life Examples

• Ramesh stood first in the race.

• Neha sat on the second bench in the class.

• The school library is located on the third floor of the building.

• My birthday is on the fifth day of March.

• The red car finished in seventh place in the race.
  
  

Ordinal Numbers from 1 to 100

Ordinal numbers tell the position or rank of something in a list or order. They are different from cardinal numbers, which tell “how many”.

The list of ordinal numbers from 1 to 50 is given below:

 

The list of ordinal numbers from 51 to 100 is given below:

 

Difference Between Cardinal, Nominal, and Ordinal Numbers

Numbers are used in different ways in maths and daily life. The 3 common types are cardinal, nominal, and ordinal numbers. Let's understand them in simple words.

 

Solved Examples

Example 1: A race has 5 students: Najma, Ameena, Jhansi, Izhan, and Darshan. Who came first, and who came fourth?

Solution:

• First place is Najma

• Fourth place is Izhan

Example 2: In the word “CELEBRATION”, what are the 2nd and 9th letters?

Solution:

The letters of CELEBRATION are C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-I-O-N

• 2nd letter is E

• 9th letter is I

Example 3: Write the ordinal numbers for the numbers 13, 20, 31, 45, and 50.

Solution:

• 13 = 13th - Thirteenth

• 20 = 20th - Twentieth 

• 31 = 31st - Thirty-first 

• 45 = 45th - Forty-fifth

• 50 = 50th - Fiftieth
  
  

Practice Questions

1. What is the fifth letter in the word “BEAUTIFUL”?

2. In the word “MADAM”, find the first and last letter.

3. There are 10 balls in the bag. Find the 9th ball.

4. The students are standing in this order: Sultana, Humera, Abdul, and Priya. Who is the third person? 

5. Write the ordinal numbers from 10 to 21.
   
   

FAQs on Ordinal Numbers

1. What is the ordinal number?

An ordinal number tells the position or rank of something in a list. For example:

• 1st = Position 1

• 2nd = Position 2 

• 3rd = Potion 3

2. What is the ordinal number 1 to 10?

The ordinal numbers from 1 to 10 are:

• 1st = First 

• 2nd = Second

• 3rd = Third 

• 4th = Fourth 

• 5th = Fifth 

• 6th - Sixth

• 7th - Seventh

• 8th = Eight 

• 9th = Ninth 

• 10t = Tenth

3. What is ordinal and cardinal?

• Cardinal numbers tell how many (1, 2, 3, 10…).

• Ordinal numbers tell the position or rank (1st, 2nd, 3rd,...).

• Example:

• If we have 4 apples, then the cardinal number = 4

• The first apple we eat. So, ordinal number = 1st

4. How do you explain ordinal numbers to a child?

You can explain ordinal numbers as numbers that show order.

• Use examples like a race: first, second, third.

• Use everyday things like floors in a building: 1st floor, 2nd floor.

• Use letters in a word: that 3rd letter in CAT is T.

5. Is 4 a cardinal number?

4 is a cardinal number because it tells how many things there are. For example: 4 pens, 4 books. Here, 4 tells the quantity.