What is the Previous Number?

S0-SA1-0057

Grade Level:

Class 1

Maths, Computing

Definition

What is it?

The 'Previous Number' is the number that comes just before a given number when you count backwards. It is always one less than the number you are looking at.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 5 delicious ladoos. If you eat one, how many ladoos did you have just before you ate that last one? You had 4 ladoos. So, 4 is the previous number to 5.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the previous number to 10.

Step 1: Start with the given number, which is 10.
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Step 2: To find the previous number, we need to go one step backwards.
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Step 3: Going one step backwards means subtracting 1 from the number.
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Step 4: So, we calculate 10 - 1.
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Step 5: 10 - 1 equals 9.
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Answer: The previous number to 10 is 9.

Why It Matters

Understanding previous numbers is basic for counting and sequencing, which is vital in Maths and Computing. It helps in understanding order, like arranging items by date or size. This skill is used by software developers to sort data or by data analysts to track changes over time.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Adding 1 instead of subtracting 1. For example, saying 6 is the previous number to 5. | CORRECTION: Always subtract 1 from the given number to find the previous number.

MISTAKE: Confusing 'previous' with 'next'. For example, thinking the previous number to 7 is 8. | CORRECTION: 'Previous' means the number before, while 'next' means the number after. Remember, previous is always smaller.

MISTAKE: Getting confused with 0 or negative numbers (though this is for Class 1, it's a future mistake). For example, saying there is no previous number to 1. | CORRECTION: The previous number to 1 is 0. Every number has a previous number.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: What is the previous number to 15? | ANSWER: 14

QUESTION: If you are at house number 23, what was the number of the house you just passed? | ANSWER: 22

QUESTION: My friend's roll number is 30. My roll number is the previous number to his. What is my roll number? | ANSWER: 29

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which number comes just before 12?

The Correct Answer Is:

The previous number means one less than the given number. 12 minus 1 equals 11. So, 11 comes just before 12.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you check your mobile data usage, you often see your 'current' usage and your 'previous day's' usage. Knowing the previous number helps you compare how much data you used yesterday versus today. Similarly, cricket scoreboards show the current score and the score at the 'previous' over.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

PREVIOUS: Coming before in order or time | SUBTRACT: To take away one quantity from another | COUNTING: Reciting numbers in order | SEQUENCE: A particular order in which related things follow each other

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Now that you understand previous numbers, you can learn about 'What is the Next Number?'. This will help you count forwards and understand the full sequence of numbers even better.