What is The Number 42?

S0-SA1-0801

Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

The number 42 is a whole number that comes after 41 and before 43. It is an even number, meaning it can be divided equally into two groups. We use 42 in counting and measuring things around us.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine your favourite cricket team scored 42 runs in the first 6 overs. This means they made 42 individual runs, which is a specific quantity of runs. It's more than 40 runs but less than 45 runs.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's say you have 20 ladoos and your friend gives you 22 more ladoos. How many ladoos do you have in total?

Step 1: Start with the number of ladoos you already have: 20.
---
Step 2: Add the number of ladoos your friend gave you: + 22.
---
Step 3: Perform the addition: 20 + 22.
---
Step 4: Add the ones digits: 0 + 2 = 2.
---
Step 5: Add the tens digits: 2 + 2 = 4.
---
Step 6: Combine the results. You have 4 tens and 2 ones, which makes 42.

Answer: You have 42 ladoos in total.

Why It Matters

Understanding numbers like 42 is fundamental to all of mathematics and science. Whether you want to become a software engineer designing apps, a financial analyst managing money, or a scientist discovering new things, numbers are your basic tools. They help us count, measure, and solve problems every day.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing 42 with 24. | CORRECTION: Remember that the '4' in 42 means 4 tens, and the '2' means 2 ones. In 24, the '2' means 2 tens, and the '4' means 4 ones.

MISTAKE: Thinking 42 is an odd number. | CORRECTION: An even number can be divided by 2 without any remainder. 42 divided by 2 is 21, with no remainder, so it's an even number.

MISTAKE: Incorrectly adding or subtracting to get 42, like saying 40 + 3 = 42. | CORRECTION: Always double-check your addition or subtraction. 40 + 3 is 43, not 42. Be precise with your calculations.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: If an auto-rickshaw fare is Rs 20 and you give the driver Rs 22 extra for a longer trip, what is the total fare? | ANSWER: Rs 42

QUESTION: A bus has 50 seats. If 8 seats are empty, how many passengers are on the bus? | ANSWER: 42 passengers

QUESTION: Rina bought 3 packets of biscuits, and each packet has 14 biscuits. How many biscuits does she have in total? | ANSWER: 42 biscuits (14 x 3 = 42)

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these statements about the number 42 is true?

It is an odd number.

It comes after 43.

It is an even number.

It has only one digit.

The Correct Answer Is:

42 is an even number because it can be divided by 2 without a remainder (42 / 2 = 21). It comes before 43 and has two digits, not one.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

You might see the number 42 in many places. For example, a sports commentator might say a bowler took 42 wickets in a season. A shopkeeper might tell you a product costs Rs 42. Or, you might check your mobile data usage and see you have 42 GB left for the month.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

WHOLE NUMBER: A number without fractions or decimals (like 1, 2, 3...) | EVEN NUMBER: A number that can be divided by 2 exactly, with no remainder | DIGIT: A single symbol used to write numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) | QUANTITY: How much of something there is

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand what a number like 42 is, you can explore larger numbers and different number systems. Next, you can learn about place value, which helps you understand the value of each digit in a number, like how the '4' in 42 is different from the '2'.