What are Cardinal Numbers?
In mathematics, a cardinal number defines quantity. In other words, it tells us about ‘how many’ of something such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on. Cardinal numbers can also be written in words such as one, two, three, four, five and so on.
Let us understand this concept with a few examples.
There are three dogs. Here the cardinal number three(3) is used to tell us the number of dogs.
There are five cats. The cardinal number five(5) tells us about the number of cats.
What are Ordinal Numbers ?
Ordinal numbers explain the order or rank such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on. Such numbers can also be written in words like first, second, third and so on. We can conclude that ordinal numbers tell us how things are arranged in a group. Here is an example of the application of ordinal numbers.
There are five floors in a building and you are asked to identify the position of different floors. You would start by saying first (1st)floor, second(2nd) floor, third(3rd) floor, and keep counting the floors in an upward direction. Here the numbers are used to express the position of the floors, hence these numbers are ordinal numbers.
We can also observe ordinal numbers in schools.
To show the performance of the students in an annual examination, the ranks are expressed with the use of ordinal numbers.
Solved Cardinal Numbers Examples
Example 1: There were 3 dogs and 2 more joined them. How many dogs are there now?
Solution:
+ 
Three dogs + Two dogs = Five dogs
3 + 2 = 5
So, there are a total of five dogs.
Example 2: You are watching a race in a stadium. Mention the position of the athletes in the race.
Solution : The ranking of athletes can be shown with the use of ordinal numbers as shown in the image.
Example 3: What is the difference between cardinal and ordinal numbers.
Solution:
Example 4: What are the first ten cardinal numbers?
Solution:
In mathematics, cardinal numbers explain the quantity of something. In other words it tells about ‘how many’ in terms of the count, such as 1 car, 2 houses, 3 bridges, ets. Cardinal numbers can also be written in words such as one, two, three, four, five and so on.
Ordinal numbers explain the order or rank of an object such as 1st, 2nd, 3rd,etc. It can also be written in words such as first, second, third,etc. It can also be stated that ordinal numbers tell us how things are arranged in a group.
First ten ordinal numbers are first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth.
Cardinal numbers are also called natural numbers.
The smallest cardinal number is one.