Ordinal Numbers, Months of the Year
Ordinal Numbers and Months of the Year in Grade 4 Saxon Math Intermediate 4 Chapter 1 teaches students that ordinal numbers describe position or order, not quantity. While three tells how many, third (or 3rd) tells which position. Students apply ordinal numbers to the calendar: January is the first month, February the second, and December the twelfth. In a spelling bee with 10 contestants, if Ava was the fifth person, her position is written as 5th. The th suffix is the key marker distinguishing ordinal from cardinal numbers, and students practice identifying and writing ordinal forms from 1st through at least 12th.
Key Concepts
New Concept Numbers that tell position or order are called ordinal numbers .
Why it matters Mastering order and position is the first step in learning to decode the hidden structures within mathematics. This skill builds the foundation for everything from solving complex equations to designing efficient algorithms.
What’s next Next, you’ll apply ordinal numbers to solve problems about position and learn how they organize our calendar.
Common Questions
What are ordinal numbers?
Ordinal numbers tell the position or order of something in a list. Examples: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th.
How are ordinal numbers different from cardinal numbers?
Cardinal numbers (three) tell how many. Ordinal numbers (third) tell which position. Three apples vs. the third apple.
What ordinal number describes the fifth month of the year?
May is the fifth (5th) month. January is 1st, February is 2nd, March is 3rd, April is 4th, May is 5th.
How do you write ordinal numbers in digit form?
Write the digit followed by the suffix: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th.
Which month is the twelfth (12th)?
December is the twelfth and final month of the year.