In mathematics, a natural number is a set of numbers from 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9…and is denoted by N. The smallest natural number is 0.
When natural numbers stand alone, they can be written and read simply. However, when they are in the thousands or used in the context of value-added invoices or other sequences, it can be confusing to know how to read these natural numbers correctly. This is a concern not only for adults but also for primary school students.
Many of us struggle to understand the rules for reading and writing numbers. Depending on the case, there are two ways to read natural numbers. For example, 1 can be read as “one” or “fashion”, 4 can be read as “four” or “fashion”, and 5 can be read as “five” or “fashion”. This can lead to confusion and controversies about how to correctly pronounce natural numbers. Although we learn this in elementary school, we may not pay enough attention to these details or the knowledge may have become rusty over time. In the following article, we will guide you on how to pronounce the correct sequence of natural numbers.
How to Read Natural Numbers
To read natural numbers correctly, the first step is to divide the sequence into groups of three digits, reading each group from left to right. When reading, combine the reading of numbers with the names of the groups.
For example:
537,797,686
Read as: Five hundred thirty-seven million, seven hundred ninety-seven thousand, six hundred eighty-six.
In order to read correctly, it is essential to know how to read 3-digit numbers. Reading the numbers correctly will avoid spelling mistakes.
1. Numbers Ending in 1
If a number ends in 1, there are two basic ways to read it: “one” or “fashion”.
Case 1: 1 is read as “one” when the tens digit is equal to or less than 1.
For example:
501 is read as “five hundred and one”
911 is read as “nine hundred and eleven”
67811 is read as “sixty-seven thousand, eight hundred and eleven”
Case 2: 1 is read as “fashion” when the tens digit is greater than or equal to 2, but less than or equal to 9.
(It is read as “fashion” when combined with the word “ten” immediately before).
For example:
891 is read as “eight hundred and ninety-one”
689121 is read as “six hundred and eighty-nine thousand, one hundred and twenty-one”
2. Numbers Ending in 4
Case 1: We say “four” when the last digit of the tens is less than or equal to 1.
For example:
6704 is read as “six thousand, seven hundred and four”
89514 is read as “eighty-nine thousand, five hundred and fourteen”
Case 2: Read as “four” when the tens digit is greater than or equal to 2, or less than or equal to 9.
(When reading “four”, it should be combined with “ten” immediately before in the sentence.
For example:
324 is read as “three hundred and twenty-four”
1944 is read as “one thousand, nine hundred and forty-four”
678934 is read as “six hundred and seventy-eight thousand, nine hundred and thirty-four”
(*Note: It can be read as “four” when the tens digit is equal to 2 or 4)
3. Numbers Ending in 5
Case 1: Read as “five” when the tens digit is zero or when combined with words indicating group names, with the word “ten” following it.
For example:
78905 is read as “seventy-eight thousand, nine hundred and five”
505155 is read as “five hundred and five thousand, one hundred and fifty-five”
Case 2: When the number ends in 5, it is read as “five” when the tens digit is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 9.
(It is pronounced “five” when combined with the preceding word “ten” or “ten”).
For example:
9845 is read as “nine thousand, eight hundred and forty-five”
5555 is read as “five thousand, five hundred and fifty-five”
98675 is read as “ninety-eight thousand, six hundred and seventy-five”
How to Read Numbers with digit 5 in Mathematics
Please refer to the following examples on how to read numbers containing the digit 5:
5 years
15 is read as “fifteen”
25 is read as “twenty-five”
50 is read as “fifty”
55 is read as “fifty-five”
505 is read as “five hundred and five”
515 is read as “five hundred and fifteen”
1005 is read as “one thousand and five”
1025 is read as “one thousand and twenty-five”
1500 is read as “one thousand, five hundred”
5,525,000 is read as “five million, five hundred and twenty-five thousand”
5.025,110 is read as “five million, twenty-five thousand, one hundred and ten”
555,555 is read as “five hundred and fifty-five thousand, five hundred and fifty-five”
505.515 is read as “five hundred and five thousand, five hundred and fifteen”
1,505,555,005 is read as “one billion, five hundred and five million, five hundred and fifty-five thousand, five”
