Cardinal numeral facts for kids
A cardinal number is a special word or symbol we use when we are counting things. Think of it as answering the question "How many?"
For example, when you say "I have one apple," "there are two dogs," or "she is three years old," you are using cardinal numbers. Other examples include words like four, five, ten, or even bigger ones like one hundred or two thousand and twenty-four.
These numbers help us know the exact quantity of something. They are different from ordinal numbers, which tell us the order or position of things, like first, second, or third.
| Cardinal | one | two | three | four |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| Ordinal | first | second | third | fourth |
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
Contents
What are Cardinal Numbers?
Cardinal numbers are words that show a specific amount. They tell us "how many" of something there are. They are also called "counting numbers."
For instance, if you have a group of friends, you might say, "There are five of us." Here, "five" is a cardinal number.
How do we use them?
We use cardinal numbers every day. They help us count objects, people, or ideas.
- Counting your toys: "I have ten toy cars."
- Talking about age: "My brother is twelve years old."
- Giving a phone number: "My number is five five five one two three four."
Simple and Compound Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers can be single words like one, two, or twenty.
They can also be compound numbers. These are made up of several words. For example, three hundred and forty-two (in places like the UK) or three hundred forty-two (in the USA) are compound cardinal numbers. They still tell us a specific quantity.
Cardinal vs. Ordinal Numbers
It's easy to mix up cardinal and ordinal numbers, but they have different jobs.
- Cardinal numbers answer "How many?" (e.g., one, two, three).
- Ordinal numbers answer "Which one in order?" (e.g., first, second, third).
Think of it this way:
- If you win a race, you might be first (ordinal).
- But there was only one winner (cardinal).
If there are three students in a line (cardinal), the one at the front is the first student (ordinal).
Related pages
- Arity
- Cardinal number for the related usage in mathematics
