What are the ordinal numbers

What are Ordinal Numbers? Definition, List, Examples, Facts

What are Ordinal Numbers?

Numbers that are used to represent the rank or position of an object or a person are known as ordinal numbers. They are also referred to as positioning or ranking numbers.The sequence of ordinal numbers vary on the parameters that are based on the positions that are defined, such as weight, height, marks, size, etc. Such numbers are also known as ordinals.

Recommended Worksheets:

How to Write Ordinal Numbers?

Ordinal numbers or ordinals are written using numerals as prefixes and adjectives as suffixes. 

For example, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and so on. We can easily identify an ordinal number: it talks about positioning.

So, if we were to say, “Bring me the bottle of jam that is lying on the 4th shelf.”, one would know that the ordinal number here is 4, which informs us about the position of the jam bottle.

The above picture shows different floors of a building. Here, we can use ordinal numbers to define the position of the floors. 

The numbers 1st (first), 2nd (second), 3rd (third), 4th (fourth), 5th (fifth), 6th (sixth), 7th (seventh), 8th (eighth), 9th (ninth) and 10th (tenth) tell us about the positions of various floors in the building. Therefore, all of them are the ordinal numbers. 

Recommended Games:

Applications of Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers are a great way to talk about the order of something. For example, the order of dates. These numbers are only used when data is provided and the data is to be arranged in order.

For example: Someone who has performed well throughout the year may get the chance to be valedictorian. They would be first in line. But someone who performed well, but was unable to score as much as the person before in various tests and exams, may be second in line to be valedictorian. The person who has not performed well at all, has the least amount of chance.  

The picture given below shows some athletes competing in a 500-m race. We can also use ordinal numbers to define their positions in order to see who the winner and runners-up of the race are. 

Other examples of ordinal numbers are as follows:

• Jennifer always ranks 2nd in the class.

Here 2nd is the ordinal number that tells you about the position that Jennifer has secured.

• Jane is standing at the 5th place in the queue. 

Hereby the ordinal number is 5th, we understand Jane’s position in the queue.

• Jenny came 3rd in the race.

Here, 3rd is the ordinal number which tells you about the place that Jenny has secured in the race.

• The 10th table is reserved.

Here, the ordinal number 10th refers to the number of table reservations made.

Ordinal Numbers 1

Ordinal Numbers 51

Ordinal Numbers v.

The type of  numbers that are used for counting the number of objects or persons are known as cardinal numbers. This type of numbers are used for representing the cardinality of the number of elements in a set.

Cardinality means to know about the number of elements in a set. 

Cardinal numbers can be the natural numbers that we use while we are counting like one, two, three, four, five and so on.

On the other hand, ordinal numbers are used to determine the rank or position of any object or person. We write ordinal numbers using numbers as prefixes and adjectives as suffixes. 

Let us understand the difference with the help of an example.

Some students were asked to collect marbles. 

Tom collected 1, Jane collected 2, and Clove collected 3 marbles. 

Here the numbers 1, 2, 3 are cardinal numbers as they represent the quantity of marbles. 

Now, the one who scores maximum wins. So, Clove stands 1st, Jane stands 2nd and Tom stands 3rd.

Here the numbers 1st, 2nd and 3rd are ordinal numbers as they represent the position of the students.

Ordinal Numbers v. Nominal Numbers

A set of numbers that are used for labeling certain items or places so that they can be identified easily are known as nominal numbers. Whenever we have to identify an object uniquely, we use nominal numbers. These numbers are not of much use because they are just going to give information about location and not about its quantity, quality, etc. Nominal numbers can be used as area codes, on number plates of vehicles, etc. Operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are meaningless on nominal numbers.

For example: In a phone number like 202 588-6500, the number is a nominal number. Even if we apply an operation, it will not give us anything meaningful. 

On the order hand, the ordinal numbers tell us about the rank or position of any object or person. 

For example: Sophia lives in the 34th house on San Pablo Avenue, California.

Fun Fact!

11, 12 and 13 are the only numbers to use a suffix ‘–th’ but all other numbers ending with 1 use ‘–st’, those ending with 2 use ‘–nd’ and those ending with 3 use ‘–rd’.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Which English alphabet is 12th from the beginning? 

Solution: The alphabet that is 12th from the beginning is L. 

Example 2: Kim, Kethy, Kiah and Kaina are sitting in the line in alphabetical order. What is the position of Kiah from the beginning? 

Solution: According to alphabetical order, the order in which they’re sitting would be: Kaina, Kethy, Kiah, Kim. So, Kiah is at the 3rd position. 

3. Christmas lies on the _____ of December. Solution: Christmas lies on the 25th of December.

Practice Problems

1

Which one of the following denotes an ordinal number?

The vehicle number of Sarah is KL23AB89.

There are 9 apples on the tree.

Catheline came 4th in the drawing competition.

None of these

Correct answer is: Catheline came 4th in the drawing competition.
In the option C, the number 4th is telling about the position of Catheline in the drawing competition.

2

How do you write 51 in ordinal numbers?

51

51st

51th

51rd

Correct answer is: 51st
The ordinal number for 51 for 51st.

3

In the word, “COMPENSATION”, which are the fourth and tenth letters?

M and O

M and N

P and I

E and O

Correct answer is: P and I
The fourth letter is P and the tenth letter is I.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 0 an ordinal number?

No, we cannot write 0 as an ordinal number.

What are exceptional ordinal numbers?

Exceptional ordinal numbers are the ordinal numbers that do not end with -th. For example: 1st (first),  2nd (second), 3rd (third), etc.

Who invented ordinal numbers?

Ordinal numbers were invented by Georg Cantor in 1883.

Ordinal Numbers - Meaning, Examples

Ordinal numbers are the numbers that talk about the position of objects. For example, 'The cookies are kept in the 3^rd drawer from the top', 'The orange dress is the 7^th one from the right', 'The soccer ball is kept in the 3^rd carton from the left'. All these sentences have one thing in common - they talk about the positions of the objects. This is the main element in the discussion of ordinal numbers.

What are Ordinal Numbers?

An ordinal number is a number that indicates the position or order of something in relation to other numbers, like, first, second, third, and so on. This order or sequence may be according to the size, importance, or any chronology. Let us understand the ordinal numbers with an example. Ten students participated in a contest. Out of them, the top winners were given medals and were ranked as 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd. In this case, the positions: 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd are ordinal numbers.

Difference Between Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

A cardinal number is a number that denotes the count of any object. Any natural number such as 1, 2, 3, etc., is referred to as a cardinal number, whereas, an ordinal number is a number that denotes the position or place of an object. For example, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, etc. Now, if we say, 'There are 3 ants and 5 bears'. This is an example of cardinal numbers. However, if we say, 'The position of the runners in the running event is first, second, third, and so on', this represents ordinal numbers. Observe the table given below to note the difference between cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers.

List of Ordinal Numbers from 1 to 100

The list of ordinal numbers from 1 to 100 can be learned easily and is quite helpful for specifying the order of any given object. You can use the combinations from this list to find out the ordinal numbers from 100 onward. Observe the table given below in order to understand how ordinal numbers are written. You might be able to pick up a pattern after referring to the first twenty ordinal numbers.

Ordinal Numbers 1 to 20

Ordinal numbers from 1 to 20 are different from the rest. After the number 20, a repeated pattern of ordinal numbers can be observed. Ordinal numbers from 1 to 20 can be listed as follows. 1 - First, 2 - Second, 3 - Third, 4 - Fourth, 5 - Fifth, 6 - Sixth, 7 - Seventh, 8 - Eighth, 9 - Ninth, 10 - Tenth, 11 - Eleventh, 12 - Twelfth, 13 - Thirteenth, 14 - Fourteenth, 15 - Fifteenth, 16 - Sixteenth, 17 - Seventeenth, 18 - Eighteenth, 19 - Nineteenth, 20 - Twentieth.

☛ Related Topics

• Cardinal Numbers
• Ordinal Numbers Worksheets for Kindergarten
• Numbers
• Rational Numbers
• Prime Numbers
• Composite Numbers
• Even Numbers
• Odd Numbers
• Real Numbers
• Natural Numbers
• Irrational Numbers
• Counting Numbers

Ordinal Numbers Examples

1. Example 1: What is the 3rd letter in the word: SUMMERS?

   Solution:

   In the given word, SUMMERS, the first letter is 'S'. The second letter is 'U'. Similarly, we count the position of the letters in order, like, first, second, third, and so on which denotes ordinal numbers. So, we can see that the letter 'M' comes in the 3rd position. Therefore, the third letter in the given word is 'M'.

2. Example 2: Sam, Jenny, Mary, and Jack are standing in a queue in the given order. Who is in the fourth position?

   Solution:

   From the given information, we can say that: Sam is in the first place, Jenny is in the second place, Mary is in the third place, and Jack is in the fourth place. Therefore, Jack is standing in the fourth position. Here, 4th is an ordinal number because it denotes the position of Jack.

3. Example 3: State true or false with respect to ordinal numbers.

   a.) An ordinal number is a number that denotes the position or place of an object.

   b.) Ordinal numbers are written as 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, and so on.

   Solution:

   a.) True, an ordinal number is a number that denotes the position or place of an object.

   b.) True, ordinal numbers are written as 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd, and so on.

go to slidego to slidego to slide

Ready to see the world through math’s eyes?

Math is a life skill. Help your child perfect it through real-world application.

Book a Free Trial Class

Practice Questions on Ordinal Numbers

go to slidego to slide

FAQs on Ordinal Numbers

What Does Ordinal Number mean?

Ordinal numbers are the numbers that specify the position of objects. For example, when we say that the books are kept on the 3^rd shelf, here 3rd is an ordinal number. Similarly, first, second, twentieth, fiftieth, and so on are ordinal numbers.

What is the Difference Between Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers?

Cardinal numbers denote the count of any object. For example, natural numbers like 1, 2 3, and so on are cardinal numbers. On the other hand, ordinal numbers denote the position or place of an object. For example, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and so on, are ordinal numbers.

How to Write Dates with Ordinal Numbers?

Ordinal numbers are used to mention the dates in English. For example, if we need to write the date of Christmas, we write the month and then the ordinal number of the day. In this case, we say that Christmas is on December 25th. Here, 25th is an ordinal number.

Is Zero an Ordinal Number?

No, 0 cannot be considered an ordinal number. Specifying the position of anything as 0^th or zeroth does not give a logical explanation.

How to Write Ordinal Numbers?

Ordinal numbers have a suffix added at the end. They can be written as first, second, third, and so on when expressed in words. When ordinal numbers are expressed as numerals, the last two letters of the words are added to the respective numbers, like, 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, and so on.

Why do we use Ordinal Numbers?

We use ordinal numbers for specifying the position or order of something. For example, the pens are kept in the 3^rd drawer from the top, or, Ria stays on the second floor of the apartment. Here, the respective numbers specify the position or order of the object or people, whatever the case may be.

What are Ordinal Numbers From 1 to 10?

The ordinal numbers from 1 to 10 are as follows: 1st: First, 2nd: Second, 3rd: Third, 4th: Fourth, 5th: Fifth, 6th: Sixth, 7th: Seventh, 8th: Eighth, 9th: Ninth, and 10th: Tenth.

What is the Ordinal Number of 1?

The ordinal of 1 is written as First. In the numeral form, it is represented as 1^st.

Download FREE Study Materials

Worksheets on Ordinal Numbers

The sequence numbers in Purchase Orders

Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers in English 9001 ​ ​

We will help you to speak English without hesitation

Start learning

On average, each of us uses from 20 to 40 numerals during the day. Therefore, it is worth paying special attention to the numerals in English: without them, how without hands - neither order a pizza, nor dictate a phone, nor find out what year it is. nine0008

Ordinal numbers

Numerals in English, as well as in Russian, are of 2 types: quantitative and ordinal. On this, perhaps, the similarity between English and Russian numerals ends.

Ordinal numbers - answer the question " which is ".

Most ordinal numbers are formed with the ending th .

Ordinal numbers are usually attached to a noun, so they are preceded by the definite article the:

• The forty-six th president of the United States. Forty-sixth President of the United States.
• November is the eleven th month. November is the eleventh month.

The formation of numerals in English has a clear algorithm. So, ordinal numbers are formed by adding th to cardinal numbers. But there are exceptions: first, second, third.

In compound ordinal numbers, only the last component is in ordinal form: twenty-sixth, seventy-fourth. nine0008

Tens ending in y change to ie:

• fort y - fort ie th.

In writing, ordinal numbers can be abbreviated, there is no need to write so much:

• First - 1st
• Second - 2nd
• Third - 3rd
• Fourth - 4th
• Fifth - 5th and so on

In the table - numerals of the English language. Save, Teach, Practice:

English proficiency test

This English proficiency test was compiled by the Skysmart online school tutors. They prepared interesting and relevant tasks on modern topics to make the test both useful and interesting

Cardinal numbers

Cardinal numbers - answer the question "how much" .

Remove should be no problem. There are no special chips and wisdom in their education - you just have to remember a few features.

Numerals hundred, thousand, million are used in the singular. No need to add the plural ending S.

The ending S is used only if the numerals are used as nouns:

• thousands of followers
• hundreds of voters - hundreds of voters
• dozens of comments - many comments

When you write a large number in English, you have to split it with commas, like this:

• 1.567 one thousand, five hundred and sixty-seven

By the way, in the UK it is customary to split long numbers with the union and:

• seven hundred and sixty - three

And in American English it is accepted like this:

• seven hundred sixty - three

Choose which English is closer to you and use one of the options.

Cardinal numbers will probably be needed for you to dictate a phone number. Are people still exchanging numbers in 2020? Let's assume that yes and remember:

• digits of the phone number are pronounced one at a time
• if two identical digits are in a row, you can say double and say the digit once
• 112 - 344 double one two three double four

Another effective way to quickly memorize numbers is to sign up for English lessons for children 8 years old online at Skysmart School.

How many English words do you already know?

Let's define your vocabulary - without complex questions and with the help of smart algorithms.

Features of numerals

Everything could be simple and understandable with English numerals, if not for a few tricky rules that need to be understood and remembered. nine0008

Zero

Zero - he is zero, he is also zero, nil, nought and o - many-sided and mysterious, let's figure it out.

Zero is pronounced like zero:

• in the weather forecast: above zero - above zero, below zero - below zero, reduce to zero - reduce to zero.
• as a percentage: there is only a 30% chance of rain - the chance of rain is only 30%.
• in stable expressions: zero visibility - zero visibility, zero chance - zero chances.
nine0201 in phone numbers it is equally acceptable to pronounce both zero and o [əu]
• in fractions: 0.6 - zero point six.

Zero is pronounced like o [əu]:

• for years and times: 2007 - twenty o seven.
• in phone numbers, bank accounts: 051 600 30 – o five one six double o three
• in fractions: 0.8 - o point eight.

For sports, matches, championships use Nil:

• we won four-nil - we won three-nil
• we drew nil-nil - we drew

British nought/naught means "zero", "nothing". The word is outdated and almost never used, but it won't hurt to remember it. Suddenly, Elon Musk messes up something, and we fly into the past, not into the future.

Year reckoning

Cardinal numbers are used to designate years in English.

• The four-digit year is halved and pronounced as two separate numbers: 1996 nineteen ninety-six,

• Millenniums are pronounced in thousands:

  2020 - two thousand twenty / twenty twenty,

  22000 - two thousand,

  22007 - two thousand and seven,

  21907 - nineteen or seven,

• If there are two zeros at the end of the year, then we say with hundred, that is, we count hundreds:

  1700 - seventeen hundred, 1900 - nineteen hundred.

Remember:

Preposition 9 is put before the year0189 in .

The word year is either completely omitted in the sentence, or stands before the numeral, contrary to any logic of a Russian-speaking person:

• Game of Thrones premiered in 2011

Also remember these designations, they are often found in books, textbooks and in movies:

• BC - before Christ (before Christ, - BC).
• AD - Anno Domini (after the birth of Christ, - our era). nine0013

Demo lesson in English

We will determine the level and set a goal, and then we will teach you to speak English fluently.

Fractions

Fractions - ½. The rules of writing are the same as in Russian. Recall that what is above the line is the numerator, and what is below it is the denominator.

Attention now:

1. The numerator is pronounced like a cardinal number.

2. Denominator as ordinal number.

3. The numerator one can be read as an article a :

   • 1/14 - one fourteenth / a fourteenth

   • 1/8 - one eighth / a eighth

   • 1/3 - one third / a third

If the numerator is greater than 1, then the plural ending s is added to the ordinal denominator:

• 4/5 - four fifths
• 2/8-two eighths
• 1/2 - one half / a half
• 1/4 - one quarter / a quarter / one fourth
• 2/4 - two quarters

Remember:

When reading fractions, half is half
A quarter, one fourth

Decimals . There are a few things to remember here. In English decimal fractions, a dot is put, not a comma, and we do not pronounce fractions (tenths, hundredths, etc.). They are just called numbers. The point is also pronounced point:

• 2.26 - two point twenty six
• 7.654 - seven point six five four

If there is no integer before the point, then zero is pronounced or nothing is said at all:

• 0.3 - zero point three / point three
• 0.65 - zero point six five / point six five
• 0.02 - zero point zero two / point zero two

You can also say o [əu] instead of zero.

Percentages in English do not require a plural. Percent is always singular:

• 3.3% - three point three percent
• 50% - fifty percent
• 99% - ninety-nine percent

Money

The currency designation always precedes the amount: ＄500 - $500, €200 - two hundred euros. First, the amount is pronounced, and only then the name of the currency - do not mix it up.

If the amount consists of a decimal fraction, then first we pronounce the whole number, then the currency, and at the end - the decimal part.

• € 16.55 - sixteen euros fifty five
• ＄20. 99 - twenty dollars ninety nine

If you know the name of the coin, you can insert it at the end.

Arithmetic operations

Cardinal numbers are used for counting in English.
to equal - equal to

• 2+2 = 4 - two plus two is four
• 10-5 = 5 - ten minus five equals five
• 30 x 3 = 90 - thirty multiplied by three is ninety
• 50 : 5 = 10 - fifty divided by five equals ten

The verb to be can be plural when added. And the verb to equal can be replaced by the verb to make.

• 36 + 6 = 42 - thirty six and six are forty two
• 8 + 4 = 12 - eight plus four make twelve

Let's practice

You already know how to read numbers in English. To remember all this better, try to practice a little.

1. Read aloud

• telephone number: 125 - 344 - 09- 08, 566 - 321 - 007
• : 2003, 1984, 2012, 1400, 1901
• common fraction: 1/8; 1/2; 1/5; 2/3; 1/4; 2/4
• decimal: 2.39; 3.50; 1.70; 0.35; 0.08
• amount: €450, €60.88, €100, ＄78, ＄89, ＄35. 99
• example: 45 - 5 = 40, 2 x 10 = 20, 48 : 6 = 8, 78 + 8 = 86

2. Translate into English and read aloud (return to the plate at the beginning of the article).

thirteenth, first, thirty-ninth, eighteenth, fifth, eighth, four hundred and thirty-fourth, one thousand one hundred and one, nine hundred fifty-third, eleventh, two million three hundred thousand and fourth.

Learn more

• 
  Sounds of letters chart
• 
  Family rituals examples
• 
  Why are kids shy
• 
  Learn to read program
• 
  Things with sounds
• 
  Social skills topics
• 
  List of words with long a sounds
• 
  Learn to read for first grade
• 
  Things 5 year olds do
• 
  Adjectives about moms
• 
  Salt dough ornaments handprints