What is the Difference Between Digit and Number

The main difference between digit and number is that a digit is a single numerical symbol, whereas a number can contain a single digit or a combination of more digits.

Numbers are the foundation of mathematics. Numbers are represented by symbols called numerals. Numerals are made of digits. There are ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, in the decimal number system, also known as the Hindu-Arabic Number system, which we commonly use. Using these digits, we can make numerous numerals or numbers.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is a Digit
     – Definition, Features, Examples
2. What is a Number
     – Definition, Features, Examples
3. Relationship Between Digit and Number
     – Outline of Common Features
3. Difference Between Digit and Number
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Digit, Numerical, Number, Mathematics

What is a Digit

A digit is a single symbol used to represent a numeral. There are ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. In Latin, digit means fingers, and the word originates from the fact that ten digits of the hand correspond to the ten symbols of the common decimal numeral system.

We can use digits alone (for example, 1) or in combination with other digits (for example, 10, 101, etc.) Therefore, we can say that a number or a numeral has several digits. For example, a phone number in the United States usually consists of eleven digits. The CVV number in the back of a credit or debit card typically contains three or four digits. Similarly, a digital clock uses six digits to show time – two digits to show hours, two digits to show minutes and two digits to show seconds. But we generally use only 4 digits to write time (using numbers) as we only indicate hours and minutes; for example, 18.20, 00.30, 07.15, etc.

What is a Number

A number is an arithmetical value we express by a word, symbol, or figure. A number represents a particular quantity, and we use numbers in counting and making calculations. Numbers are the foundation of mathematics. A number is made of one or more digits.

We can classify numbers into various categories. All numbers from 1 to infinity are called natural numbers. Natural numbers like 1, 2, 3, etc., are cardinal numbers while numbers that denote the position, for example, 1^st, 2^nd,3^rd, etc., are ordinary numbers. Some other categories are as follows:

Odd and Even Numbers

Even numbers are numbers that we can divide by 2 (with a remainder of 0), while odd numbers are numbers that are not divisible by 0.

Integers

Integers include all positive and negative numbers along with zero. We call positive numbers positive integers and negative numbers negative integers.

Rational numbers 

Rational numbers include all fractions where the top and bottom numbers are integers.

Prime Numbers and Composite Numbers

Prime numbers are numbers that are only divisible by themselves and 1 while composite numbers are numbers divisible by a number other than 1 and the number itself.

Relationship Between Digit and Number

• Numbers are made of digits.
• A number can have one digit or more than one digit.
• For example, we can use the digits 1 and 0 to make countless numbers – 10, 100, 101, 1001, 10010, 111110, etc.

Difference Between Digit and Number

Definition

A digit is a single numerical symbol that represents a numeral, whereas a number is an arithmetical value we express by a word, symbol, or figure.

Symbol

Digits have only one symbol, whereas numbers can have more than one numerical symbol.

Number

There are ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. However, there are countless numbers.

Conclusion

The main difference between digit and number is that a digit is a single numerical symbol, whereas a number can contain a single digit or a combination of more digits. There are ten digits: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, in the decimal number system. Using these digits, we can make numerous numerals or numbers.

Reference:

1. “What Is Number? – Definition, Facts & Example.” Cuemath.
2. “Numerical Digit.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 July 2021.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hindu-Arabic numerals” By Psiĥedelisto – Own work, CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Mathematical Mathematics Formula Physics School” (CC0) via Max Pixel