cardinal number

[ kahr-dn-l nuhm-ber ]

noun

1. Also called cardinal numeral. any of the numbers that express amount, as one, two, three, etc. ( ordinal number ).
2. Also called potency, power. Mathematics. a number or symbol analogous to the number of elements in a finite set, being identical for two sets that can be placed into one-to-one correspondence:

   The cardinal number of the set a1, a2, … an is n.

cardinal number

noun

1. a number denoting quantity but not order in a set Sometimes shortened tocardinal
2. maths logic
   1. a measure of the size of a set that does not take account of the order of its members Compare natural number
   2. a particular number having this function

cardinal number

/ kär′dn-əl /

1. A number, such as 3, 11, or 412, used in counting to indicate quantity but not order.
2. Compare ordinal number

Word History and Origins

Origin of cardinal number¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Example Sentences

The cardinal number 𝔡 is defined as the smallest possible size of a set of continuous functions sufficient to dominate every possible continuous function.

From Scientific American

For every infinite cardinal ℵa, there is a next larger cardinal number ℵa+1.

From Scientific American

A variant of this definition gives the cardinal number 𝔟, namely the smallest size of a family B with the property that there is no continuous function that dominates all functions of B. It can be shown that ℵ1 ≤ 𝔟 ≤ 𝔡 ≤ 2ℵ0 holds.

From Scientific American

HUNDRED, the English name of the cardinal number equal to ten times ten.

From Project Gutenberg

The notion of order, which is here introduced, is one which is not required in the theory of cardinal number.

From Project Gutenberg