When it comes to expressing the number 13 in written form, there is often confusion as to whether it should be written as “13” or “13rd.” The correct form, without a doubt, is “13.” Now, let’s learn the explanation behind this and provide a variety of examples to solidify our understanding.
First and foremost, it’s essential to understand that when we express a number in written form, we typically use ordinal numbers when we want to show sequence or order, such as first, second, third, and so on. However, the number 13, being a cardinal number, does not follow this rule. Cardinal numbers are used to represent quantity or count, unlike ordinal numbers which indicate position or order in a series.
To clarify this, let’s consider some examples. Imagine you are counting items in a basket, and there are exactly 13 of them. It would be incorrect to say “I have 13rd items in the basket,” as this would mix up the rules for cardinal and ordinal numbers. The correct way to express the quantity is simply “I have 13 items in the basket.” In this case, the number 13 is acting as a cardinal number, indicating the count or quantity of items in the basket, rather than its position or order.
This rule applies to all numbers that are considered cardinal numbers, not just 13. For instance, if you have four apples, you would say “I have four apples,” not “I have fourth apples.” Similarly, if you are celebrating your 30th birthday, you would say “I am turning thirty,” not “I am turning thirtieth.”
To further illustrate this point, let’s consider some more examples. If you are organizing a marathon and there are 13 participants, you would say “There are thirteen participants.” If you are scheduling a meeting and it will take place on the 13th of June, you would say “The meeting is on June thirteenth.” It is important to distinguish between the use of cardinal and ordinal numbers in these contexts to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.
In conclusion, when expressing the number 13 in written form, it is correct to write it as “13.” This is because 13 is a cardinal number, indicating count or quantity, and not an ordinal number, which indicates position or order. It is essential to adhere to this rule for all cardinal numbers, ensuring clarity and accuracy in our written expression. So, next time you encounter the number 13, remember to write it as “13” and not “13rd.”