What is The Number 72?

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Grade Level:

Pre-School – Class 2

All domains without exception

Definition

What is it?

The number 72 is a natural number that comes after 71 and before 73. It is an even number, meaning it can be divided by 2 without any remainder. 72 is also known as a composite number because it has more than two factors.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have a cricket match and your favourite batsman scores 72 runs. This means he made exactly seventy-two runs, which is a good score!

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the factors of 72.
1. Start with 1: 1 x 72 = 72
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2. Try 2: 2 x 36 = 72
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3. Try 3: 3 x 24 = 72
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4. Try 4: 4 x 18 = 72
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5. Try 6: 6 x 12 = 72
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6. Try 8: 8 x 9 = 72
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7. We've found all pairs. The factors of 72 are 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 72.

Why It Matters

Understanding numbers like 72 is the foundation for all mathematics, from simple counting to complex calculations. It's crucial for careers like engineering, finance, and even game development, where precise number handling is key.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing 72 with 27 | CORRECTION: Always read numbers carefully. 72 has 7 tens and 2 ones, while 27 has 2 tens and 7 ones.

MISTAKE: Thinking 72 is a prime number | CORRECTION: 72 is a composite number because it has many factors other than just 1 and 72 (like 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, etc.).

MISTAKE: Not knowing the place value of digits in 72 | CORRECTION: The '7' is in the tens place (value 70) and the '2' is in the ones place (value 2).

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: Is 72 an even or odd number? | ANSWER: Even

QUESTION: If you have 72 ladoos and want to share them equally among 8 friends, how many ladoos does each friend get? | ANSWER: 9 ladoos each (72 / 8 = 9)

QUESTION: What is the sum of the digits in the number 72? | ANSWER: 9 (7 + 2 = 9)

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these statements about the number 72 is TRUE?

It is a prime number.

It is an odd number.

It is divisible by 9.

It has only two factors.

The Correct Answer Is:

72 is divisible by 9 (9 x 8 = 72). It is not prime, not odd, and has more than two factors.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

The number 72 appears in many everyday situations. For example, if you're buying a mobile recharge pack, it might offer 72 GB of data. Or, a bus route might be 72 km long. Even in cricket, a batsman might aim for a score of 72 runs to help their team win.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

NATURAL NUMBER: A counting number starting from 1 (1, 2, 3...) | EVEN NUMBER: A number that can be divided by 2 exactly | COMPOSITE NUMBER: A number with more than two factors | FACTOR: A number that divides another number exactly | PLACE VALUE: The value of a digit based on its position in a number

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand what 72 is, you can explore other numbers and their properties, like prime and composite numbers in more detail. Keep practicing and you'll become a math pro!