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Definition of number
(Entry 1 of 2)
called also numbers game
Number is regularly used with count nouns
while amount is mainly used with mass nouns.
The use of amount with count nouns has been frequently criticized; it usually occurs when the number of things is thought of as a mass or collection
or when money is involved.
Definition of number (Entry 2 of 2)
transitive verb
intransitive verb
- whole number
Example Sentences
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'number.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback .
Word History
Noun and Verb
Middle English nombre , from Anglo-French, from Latin numerus
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Phrases Containing number
- complex number
- Brinell hardness number
- call number
- cardinal number
- cetane number
- any number of
- atomic number
- Avogadro's number
- compound number
- conjugate complex number
- even number
- Fibonacci number
- counting number
- coordination number
- do a number on
- license number
- irrational number
- index number
- have someone's number
- look out for number one
- natural number
- number line
- number cruncher
- number sign
- number plate
- number one pick
- magnetic quantum number
- octane number
- opposite number
- one of our / your / their number
- public enemy number one
- quantum number
- ordinal number
- perfect number
- prime number
- someone's number is up
- real number
- rational number
- telephone number
- triangular number
- without number
- beyond number
- algebraic number
- agree in number
- wrong number
- mass number
- Mach number
- Social Security number
- wave number
- imaginary number
- chromosome number
- Reynolds number
- number theory
- round number
- a number of
- mixed number
- pre - number
- denominate number
- serial number
- registration number
- a good number of
Articles Related to number
A Countdown of Words with Numbers 10-1
From 'hang ten' to 'one-horse town'
Dictionary Entries Near number
number agreement
Cite this Entry
“Number.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/number. Accessed 3 Mar. 2023.
Kids Definition
Kids definition of number.
Kids Definition of number (Entry 2 of 2)
More from Merriam-Webster on number
Nglish: Translation of number for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of number for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about number
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- a considerable amount or quantity; many : Numbers flocked to the city to see the parade.
- metrical feet; verse .
- musical periods, measures, or groups of notes.
- numbers pool (def. 1) .
- Informal . the figures representing the actual cost, expense, profit, etc.: We won't make a decision until we see the numbers.
- Obsolete . arithmetic.
OTHER WORDS FOR number
Idioms about number.
- according to standard procedure, rules, customs, etc.; orthodoxly; by the book: We're going to run things here by the numbers.
- together or in unison to a called-out count: calisthenics by the numbers.
- to undermine, defeat, humiliate, or criticize thoroughly: The committee really did a number on the mayor's proposal.
- to discuss or discourse about, especially in an entertaining way: She could do a number on anything from dentistry to the Bomb.
- to give a performance; perform: It's time for you to get on stage and do your number.
- Slang . to behave in a predictable or customary manner: Whenever I call, he does his number about being too busy to talk.
- one is (was, will be) in serious trouble.
- one is (was, will be) on the point of death: Convinced that her number was up anyway, she refused to see doctors.
Origin of number
Synonym study for number, grammar notes for number, words often confused with number, other words from number, words that may be confused with number, words nearby number, words related to number, how to use number in a sentence.
Administration officials note that a number of former employees also have praised the president extensively and that the president has overwhelming support in his own party.
By Sunday, that number will rise to nearly 20 states, including Wisconsin, Georgia, Indiana, Virginia and Rhode Island.
Increasing number s of rank-and-file Democrats are beginning to question that approach.
Baron Cohen spoke to Kardashian West and helped attract a number of other celebrities, Steyer said.
The exact number of people posting the messages was not clear.
“Our members continue to face a number of challenges,” she said.
The number of dissenters though is unprecedented in the modern era.
Starting under Theodore Roosevelt and Howard Taft, embassies headed by career diplomats increased in number .
The number of diplomats was pitiful (45 appointees in 1860), as was the amount of money allocated to them.
Jett sees this number as a marker of how much the president allows professionals to do the job.
The country is well inhabited, for it contains fifty-one cities, near a hundred walled towns, and a great number of villages.
We had six field-pieces, but we only took four, harnessed wit twice the usual number of horses.
There are a number of bacilli, called acid-fast bacilli, which stain in the same way as the tubercle bacillus.
Five of the number had studied with Liszt before, and the young men are artists already before the public.
I do not think the average number of passengers on a corresponding route in our country could be so few as twenty.
British Dictionary definitions for number
- a self-contained piece of pop or jazz music
- a self-contained part of an opera or other musical score, esp one for the stage
Word Origin for number
Scientific definitions for number, cultural definitions for number.
The grammatical category that classifies a noun , pronoun , or verb as singular or plural . Woman, it , and is are singular; women, they , and are are plural.
Other Idioms and Phrases with number
In addition to the idiom beginning with number
- number is up, one's
- a number of
- any number of
- back number
- by the numbers
- crunch numbers
- days are numbered
- do a job (number) on
- get (have) someone's number
- in round numbers
- look out for (number one)
- opposite number
- safety in numbers
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Meaning of these in English
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- I found these photos while I was cleaning out my cupboards .
- Is there any significant difference in quality between these two items ?
- What are these toys doing here ?
- The ancient Britons inhabited these parts of England before the Roman invasion .
- Do you think this jacket looks a bit funny with these trousers ?
- aforementioned
- allude to someone / something
- allusiveness
- as for someone/something idiom
- bandy something around
- direct speech
- indirect speech
- quote ... unquote idiom
- refer to someone/something
You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
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these | American Dictionary
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twice the size, amount, price, etc., or consisting of two similar things together
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Because differences are our greatest strength
What is number sense?
By Bob Cunningham, EdM
At a glance
Number sense refers to a group of key math abilities.
It includes the ability to understand quantities and concepts like more and less .
Some people have stronger number sense than others.
Number sense is a group of skills that allow people to work with numbers. These skills are key to doing math — and many other tasks.
Number sense involves:
- Understanding quantities
- Grasping concepts like more and less , and larger and smaller
- Understanding the order of numbers in a list: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.
- Understanding symbols that represent quantities ( 7 means the same thing as seven )
- Making number comparisons (12 is greater than 10)
- Recognizing relationships between single items and groups of items ( seven means one group of seven items)
Some people have stronger number sense than others. Kids and adults with poor number sense may struggle with basic math operations like addition and multiplication. They can also have trouble with everyday tasks and skills like measuring, handling money, and judging time.
Trouble with number sense often shows up early, as kids learn math. For some people, the difficulty lasts into adulthood. But with time and practice, these skills can improve.
Dive deeper
Examples of trouble with number sense.
Here are examples of what it looks like when people struggle with number sense.
Adding and subtracting. Imagine a pile of seven beads. Then take away two of them. People with poor number sense might not realize that:
The number of beads has shrunk
Subtracting the two beads means the group of seven is now a group of five
Now imagine adding three beads to the pile. If someone struggles with number sense, they might not recognize that:
The group of beads has gotten larger
Adding three beads to the pile of seven makes it a pile of 10
Multiplying and dividing. When people need to combine items from several groups, they might go through the trouble of adding them. They may not grasp that it’s simpler to multiply them.
Likewise, they might not recognize that division is the simplest way to break up groups into their component parts.
Not grasping these concepts makes learning math and using it in everyday life a challenge. Learn more about math challenges in kids .
How schools can help
When kids struggle with math, schools often focus first on reteaching the specific math skills being taught in class. But this approach often doesn’t work for kids who struggle with number sense.
In that case, schools usually turn to an intervention process, where kids typically:
Work with “manipulatives” like blocks and rods to understand the relationships between amounts
Do exercises that involve matching number symbols to quantities
Get a lot of practice estimating
Learn strategies for checking an answer to see whether it’s reasonable
Talk with their teacher about the strategies they use to solve problems
Get help correcting mistakes they make along the way
For many kids with weak number sense, intervention is enough to catch up. But some kids need more support. They may need to be evaluated for special education to get the help they need.
Learn about intervention systems like RTI or MTSS .
How parents and caregivers can help
It takes time for kids to build number sense skills. But there are many ways to help. Here are some examples:
Practice counting and grouping objects. Then add to, subtract from, or divide the groups into smaller groups to practice operations. Combine groups to show multiplication.
Work on estimating. Build questions into everyday conversations, using phrases like “about how many” or “about how much.”
Talk about relationships between quantities. Ask kids to use words like more and less to compare things.
Build in opportunities to talk about time. Ask kids to keep track of how long it takes to drive or walk to the grocery store. Compare that with how long it takes to get to school. Ask which takes longer.
Learn more strategies to help kids with math .
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How to Find the Mean
The mean is the average of the numbers.
It is easy to calculate: add up all the numbers, then divide by how many numbers there are.
In other words it is the sum divided by the count .
Example 1: What is the Mean of these numbers?
- Add the numbers: 6 + 11 + 7 = 24
- Divide by how many numbers (there are 3 numbers): 24 / 3 = 8
The Mean is 8
Why does this work.
It is because 6, 11 and 7 added together is the same as 3 lots of 8:
It is like you are "flattening out" the numbers
Example 2: Look at these numbers:
3, 7, 5, 13, 20, 23, 39, 23, 40, 23, 14, 12, 56, 23, 29
The sum of these numbers is 330
There are fifteen numbers.
The mean is equal to 330 / 15 = 22
The mean of the above numbers is 22
Negative numbers.
How do you handle negative numbers? Adding a negative number is the same as subtracting the number (without the negative). For example 3 + (−2) = 3−2 = 1.
Knowing this, let us try an example:
Example 3: Find the mean of these numbers:
3, −7, 5, 13, −2
- The sum of these numbers is 3 − 7 + 5 + 13 − 2 = 12
- There are 5 numbers.
- The mean is equal to 12 ÷ 5 = 2.4
The mean of the above numbers is 2.4
Here is how to do it one line:
Mean = 3 − 7 + 5 + 13 − 2 5 = 12 5 = 2.4
Try it yourself!
Now have a look at The Mean Machine .
Advanced Topic: the mean we have just looked at is also called the Arithmetic Mean , because there are other means such as the Geometric Mean and Harmonic Mean .
- Math Article
Prime Numbers
Prime numbers are natural numbers that are divisible by only 1 and the number itself. In other words, prime numbers are positive integers greater than 1 with exactly two factors, 1 and the number itself. Some of the prime numbers include 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, etc. Always remember that 1 is neither prime nor composite. Also, we can say that except for 1, the remaining numbers are classified as prime and composite numbers . All prime numbers are odd numbers except 2, 2 is the smallest prime number and is the only even prime number.
Prime numbers are the natural numbers greater than 1 with exactly two factors, i.e. 1 and the number itself.
In this article, you will learn the meaning and definition of prime numbers, their history, properties, list of prime numbers from 1 to 1000, chart, differences between prime numbers and composite numbers, how to find the prime numbers using formulas, along with video lesson and examples.
Learn: Mathematics
What are Prime Numbers?
A prime number is a positive integer having exactly two factors, i.e. 1 and the number itself. If p is a prime, then its only factors are necessarily 1 and p itself. Any number that does not follow this is termed a composite number, which can be factored into other positive integers. Another way of defining it is a positive number or integer, which is not a product of any other two positive integers other than 1 and the number itself.
First Ten Prime Numbers
The first ten primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29 .
Note: It should be noted that 1 is a non-prime number. It is a unique number.
Download PDF – Prime Numbers
History of prime numbers.
The prime number was discovered by Eratosthenes (275-194 B.C., Greece). He took the example of a sieve to filter out the prime numbers from a list of natural numbers and drain out the composite numbers.
Students can practise this method by writing the positive integers from 1 to 100, circling the prime numbers, and putting a cross mark on composites. This kind of activity refers to the Sieve of Eratosthenes .
Properties of Prime Numbers
Some of the properties of prime numbers are listed below:
- Every number greater than 1 can be divided by at least one prime number.
- Every even positive integer greater than 2 can be expressed as the sum of two primes.
- Except 2, all other prime numbers are odd. In other words, we can say that 2 is the only even prime number.
- Two prime numbers are always coprime to each other.
- Each composite number can be factored into prime factors and individually all of these are unique in nature.
Prime Numbers Chart
Before calculators and computers, numerical tables were used for recording all of the primes or prime factorizations up to a specified limit and are usually printed. The most beloved method for producing a list of prime numbers is called the sieve of Eratosthenes. This method results in a chart called Eratosthenes chart, as given below. The chart below shows the prime numbers up to 100 , represented in coloured boxes.
Video Lesson on Prime Numbers
A prime number is a whole number greater than 1 whose only factors are 1 and itself. The first ten primes are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29. It should be noted that 1 is a non-prime number. Conferring to the definition of prime number, which states that a number should have exactly two factors, but number 1 has one and only one factor. Thus 1 is not considered a Prime number. To learn more about prime numbers watch the video given below.
List of Prime Numbers 1 to 100
There are several primes in the number system. As we know, the prime numbers are the numbers that have only two factors which are 1 and the number itself.
The list of prime numbers from 1 to 100 are given below:
Thus, there are 25 prime numbers between 1 and 100, i.e. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 61, 67, 71, 73, 79, 83, 89, 97 . All these numbers are divisible by only 1 and the number itself. Hence, these numbers are called prime numbers. Also, these are the first 25 prime numbers.
Prime Numbers 1 to 200
Here is the list of prime numbers from 1 to 200, which we can learn and crosscheck if there are any other factors for them.
Prime Numbers 1 to 1000
There are a total of 168 prime numbers between 1 to 1000. They are:
Also, get the list of prime numbers from 1 to 1000 along with detailed factors here.
Facts About Prime Numbers
The table below shows the important points about prime numbers. These will help you to solve many problems in mathematics.
Click here to learn more about twin prime numbers .
How to Find Prime Numbers?
The following two methods will help you to find whether the given number is a prime or not. Method 1: We know that 2 is the only even prime number. And only two consecutive natural numbers which are prime are 2 and 3. Apart from those, every prime number can be written in the form of 6n + 1 or 6n – 1 (except the multiples of prime numbers, i.e. 2, 3, 5, 7, 11), where n is a natural number. For example: 6(1) – 1 = 5 6(1) + 1 = 7 6(2) – 1 = 11 6(2) + 1 = 13 6(3) – 1 = 17 6(3) + 1 = 19 6(4) – 1 = 23 6(4) + 1 = 25 (multiple of 5) … Method 2: To know the prime numbers greater than 40, the below formula can be used. n 2 + n + 41, where n = 0, 1, 2, ….., 39 For example: (0) 2 + 0 + 0 = 41 (1) 2 + 1 + 41 = 43 (2) 2 + 2 + 41 = 47 …..
Is 1 a Prime Number?
Conferring to the definition of the prime number, which states that a number should have exactly two factors for it to be considered a prime number. But, number 1 has one and only one factor which is 1 itself. Thus, 1 is not considered a Prime number.
Examples: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, etc.
In all the positive integers given above, all are either divisible by 1 or itself, i.e. precisely two positive integers.
Prime Numbers vs Composite Numbers
A few differences between prime numbers and composite numbers are tabulated below:
Prime Numbers Related Articles
Solved examples on prime numbers.
Is 10 a Prime Number?
No, because it can be divided evenly by 2 or 5, 2×5=10, as well as by 1 and 10.
Alternatively,
Using method 1, let us write in the form of 6n ± 1.
10 = 6(1) + 4 = 6(2) – 2
This is not of the form 6n + 1 or 6n – 1.
Hence, 10 is not a prime number.
Is 19 a Prime Number?
Let us write the given number in the form of 6n ± 1. 6(3) + 1 = 18 + 1 = 19 Therefore, 19 is a prime number.
Find if 53 is a prime number or not.
The only factors of 53 are 1 and 53.
Let us write the given number in the form of 6n ± 1.
6(9) – 1 = 54 – 1 = 53
So, 53 is a prime number.
Check if 64 is a prime number or not.
The factors of 64 are 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64.
It has factors other than 1 and 64.
Hence, it is a composite number and not a prime number.
Example 5:
Which is the greatest prime number between 1 to 10?
As we know, the first 5 prime numbers are 2, 3, 5, 7, 11.
There are 4 prime numbers between 1 and 10 and the greatest prime number between 1 and 10 is 7.
Practice Problems
- Identify the prime numbers from the following numbers: 34, 27, 29, 41, 67, 83
- Which of the following is not a prime number? 2, 19, 91, 57
- Write the prime numbers less than 50.
Frequently Asked Questions on Prime Numbers
What are prime numbers in maths, how to find prime numbers.
To find whether a number is prime, try dividing it with the prime numbers 2, 3, 5, 7 and 11. If the number is exactly divisible by any of these numbers, it is not a prime number, otherwise, it is a prime. Alternatively, we can find the prime numbers by writing their factors since a prime number has exactly two factors, 1 and the number itself.
What are the examples of prime numbers?
As we know, prime numbers are whole numbers greater than 1 with exactly two factors, i.e. 1 and the number itself. Some of the examples of prime numbers are 11, 23, 31, 53, 89, 179, 227, etc.
What is the smallest prime number?
2 is the smallest prime number. Also, it is the only even prime number in maths.
What is the largest prime number so far?
Which is the largest 4 digit prime number.
The largest 4 digits prime number is 9973, which has only two factors namely 1 and the number itself.
What are prime numbers between 1 and 50?
The list of prime numbers between 1 and 50 are: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, 47
Why 1 is not a prime number?
As per the definition of prime numbers, 1 is not considered as the prime number since a prime number is a natural number greater than 1 that is not a product of two smaller natural numbers.
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COMMENTS
number: [noun] a sum of units : total. complement 1b. an indefinite usually large total. a numerous group : many. a numerical preponderance (see preponderance 2). the characteristic of an individual by which it is treated as a unit or of a collection by which it is treated in terms of units. an ascertainable total. an element (such as π) of ...
the sum, total, count, or aggregate of a collection of units, or the like: A number of people were hurt in the accident. The number of children experiencing homelessness in the city has risen alarmingly. verb (used with object) to mark with or distinguish by numbers: Number each of the definitions.
these definition: 1. plural of this 2. plural of this 3. pl of this . Learn more.
A numeral is a symbol or name that stands for a number. Examples: 3, 49 and twelve are all numerals. So the number is an idea, the numeral is how we write it. Digit A digit is a single symbol used to make numerals. 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are the ten digits we use in everyday numerals.
Number sense refers to a group of key math abilities. It includes the ability to understand quantities and concepts like more and less. Some people have stronger number sense than others. Explore topics selected by our experts Math Number sense is a group of skills that allow people to work with numbers.
It is easy to calculate: add up all the numbers, then divide by how many numbers there are. In other words it is the sum divided by the count. Example 1: What is the Mean of these numbers? 6, 11, 7 Add the numbers: 6 + 11 + 7 = 24 Divide by how many numbers (there are 3 numbers): 24 / 3 = 8 The Mean is 8 Why Does This Work?
Any number that does not follow this is termed a composite number, which can be factored into other positive integers. Another way of defining it is a positive number or integer, which is not a product of any other two positive integers other than 1 and the number itself. First Ten Prime Numbers
Data can be defined as numbers in context. Suppose you are given the following set of numbers: 1. 1.73, 1.83, 1.57, 1.88, 1.70, 1.65 What additional information would allow you to define these numbers as data? a Units of measurement. This could represent the beights This problem has been solved!