Knowing our Numbers - Revision Notes

 CBSE Class 6 Mathematics

Revision Notes
CHAPTER – 1
Knowing our Number

  • Given two numbers, one with more digits is the greater number. If the number of digits in two given numbers is the same, that number is larger, which has a greater leftmost digit. If this digit also happens to be the same, we look at the next digit and so on.
  • In forming numbers from given digits, we should be careful to see if the conditions under which the numbers are to be formed are satisfied. Thus, to form the greatest four-digit number from 7, 8, 3, 5 without repeating a single digit, we need to use all four digits, the greatest number can have only 8 as the leftmost digit.
  • The smallest four-digit number is 1000 (one thousand). It follows the largest three digit number 999. Similarly, the smallest five digit number is 10,000. It is ten thousand and follows the largest four digit number 9999. Further, the smallest six digit number is 100,000. It is one lakh and follows the largest five-digit number 99,999. This carries on for higher digit numbers in a similar manner.
  • Use of commas helps in reading and writing large numbers. In the Indian system of numeration we have commas after 3 digits starting from the right and thereafter every 2 digits. The commas after 3, 5 and 7 digits separate thousand, lakh and crore respectively. In the International system of numeration commas are placed after every 3 digits starting from the right. The commas after 3 and 6 digits separate thousand and million respectively.
  • Large numbers are needed in many places in daily life. For example, for giving number of students in a school, number of people in a village or town, money paid or received in large transactions (paying and selling), in measuring large distances say between various cities in a country or in the world and so on.
  • Remember kilo shows 1000 times larger, Centi shows 100 times smaller and milli shows 1000 times smaller, thus, 1 kilometre = 1000 metres, 1 metre = 100 centimetres or 1000 millimetres etc.
  • There are a number of situations in which we do not need the exact quantity but need only a reasonable guess or an estimate. For example, while stating how many spectators watched a particular international hockey match, we state the approximate number, say 51,000, we do not need to state the exact number.
  • Estimation involves approximating a quantity to an accuracy required. Thus, 4117 may be approximated to 4100 or to 4000, i.e. to the nearest hundred or to the nearest thousand depending on our need.
  • In number of situations, we have to estimate the outcome of number operations. This is done by rounding off the numbers involved and getting a quick, rough answer.
  • Estimating the outcome of number operations is useful in checking answers.
  • Use of brackets allows us to avoid confusion in the problems where we need to carry out more than one number operation.
  • We use the Hindu-Arabic system of numerals. Another system of writing numerals is the Roman system.