Digit vs. Number — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 25, 2024
Digit refers to individual symbols (0-9) used in number systems, while a number is a mathematical object used to count, measure, and label.
Difference Between Digit and Number
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A digit is a single symbol used in numeration systems to represent numbers in a consistent and standardized form, specifically within the base-10 system commonly used. On the other hand, a number is a broader concept that can be composed of one or more digits and represents quantities or values in mathematics and everyday life.
In the context of mathematics, digits form the building blocks of numbers. For example, in the number 345, each of '3', '4', and '5' are digits, whereas the entire sequence '345' represents a whole number.
When considering counting systems, each digit represents a different value depending on its position (place value). Conversely, a number represents a specific quantity that can be used for counting, measuring, or ordering.
Digits are confined to the symbols 0-9 in most modern numeric systems, while numbers encompass a virtually limitless range of values and can include complex forms such as fractions, decimals, and negative values.
Understanding digits is crucial for the basic education of numeracy, essential for learning how to write and read numbers properly. In contrast, understanding numbers and their properties is fundamental in mathematics, finance, sciences, and many other fields.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A single symbol (0-9) used to represent numbers in numeration systems.
A mathematical object used to count, measure, label, or indicate order.
Role in Mathematics
Serves as the building blocks of numbers.
Represents quantities and can perform arithmetic operations.
Examples
0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
-23, 0.75, 100, π
Complexity
Limited to 10 symbols in the decimal system.
Can be simple or complex (e.g., whole numbers, decimals, fractions).
Educational Focus
Basic numeracy and understanding place value.
Advanced mathematical concepts, operations, and applications.
Compare with Definitions
Digit
Symbols used in a positional numeral system.
In the hexadecimal system, 'A' is also a digit.
Number
A mathematical concept to quantify or measure.
There are 20 apples in the basket.
Digit
Basic unit of the decimal system.
The number 10 is made of two digits: 1 and 0.
Number
Used in counting objects.
She owns four cars.
Digit
Used in various number systems worldwide.
Arabic numerals include the digits 0 through 9.
Number
Can represent a position or rank.
He finished the race in 1st place.
Digit
Integral part of computing and digital systems.
Binary digits include 0 and 1.
Number
May denote a value in measurements.
The bottle contains 1.5 liters of water.
Digit
A human finger or toe.
Number
Utilized in mathematical operations.
Adding the numbers 5 and 15 results in 20.
Digit
A corresponding part in other vertebrates.
Number
A number is a mathematical object used to count, measure, and label. The original examples are the natural numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and so forth.
Digit
A unit of length derived from the breadth of a finger and equal to about 34 of an inch (2.0 centimeters).
Number
A member of the set of positive integers; one of a series of symbols of unique meaning in a fixed order that can be derived by counting.
Digit
One of the ten Arabic number symbols, 0 through 9.
Number
A member of any of the following sets of mathematical objects
Integers, rational numbers, real numbers, and complex numbers. These sets can be derived from the positive integers through various algebraic and analytic constructions.
Digit
Such a symbol used in a system of numeration.
Number
Numbers Arithmetic.
Digit
Digits Slang A telephone number
She gave me her digits, and I put them in my phone.
Number
A symbol or word used to represent a number.
Digit
(mathematics) The whole numbers from 0 to 9 and the Arabic numerals representing them, which are combined to represent base-ten numbers.
The number 123.4 has four digits: the hundreds digit is 1, the tens digit is 2, the units digit is 3, and the tenths digit is 4.
Number
A numeral or a series of numerals used for reference or identification
His telephone number.
The apartment number.
Digit
(mathematics) A distinct symbol representing one of an arithmetic progression of numbers between 0 and the radix.
Hexadecimal numeration (Base sixteen) includes the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 but also A (=10 decimal), B, C, D, E, and F. Sixteen itself is written as the two-digit number 10.
Number
A position in an ordered sequence that corresponds to one of the positive integers
The house that is number three from the corner.
Ranked number six in her class.
Digit
The apparent diameter of the sun or moon, (chiefly) as a measure of the totality of an eclipse.
A six-digit eclipse covers half the lunar surface.
Number
One item in a group or series considered to be in numerical order
An old number of a magazine.
Digit
A unit of length notionally based upon the width of an adult human finger, standardized differently in various places and times, (especially) the English digit of 16{{nbsp}}foot, now equivalent to about 1.9{{nbsp}}cm.
Number
A total; a sum
The number of feet in a mile.
Digit
Syn of inch.
Number
An indefinite quantity of units or individuals
The crowd was small in number. A number of people complained.
Digit
(anatomy) A narrow extremity of the human hand or foot: a finger, thumb, or toe.
Number
A large quantity; a multitude
Numbers of people visited the fair.
Digit
(zoology) Similar or similar-looking structures in other animals.
Number
Numerical superiority
The South had leaders, the North numbers.
Digit
Syn of degreeof a circle.
Number
(Grammar) The indication, as by inflection, of the singularity, duality, or plurality of a linguistic form.
Digit
(transitive) To point at or point out with the finger.
Number
Metrical feet or lines; verses
"These numbers will I tear, and write in prose" (Shakespeare).
Digit
One of the terminal divisions of a limb appendage; a finger or toe.
The ruminants have the "cloven foot," i. e., two hoofed digits on each foot.
Number
(Obsolete) Poetic meter.
Digit
A finger's breadth, commonly estimated to be three fourths of an inch.
Number
Numbers(Archaic) Musical periods or measures.
Digit
One of the ten figures or symbols, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, by which all numbers are expressed; - so called because of the use of the fingers in counting and computing.
Number
Numbers (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games A numbers game.
Digit
One twelfth part of the diameter of the sun or moon; - a term used to express the quantity of an eclipse; as, an eclipse of eight digits is one which hides two thirds of the diameter of the disk.
Number
Numbers (used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.
Digit
To point at or out with the finger.
Number
One of the separate offerings in a program of music or other entertainment
The band's second number was a march.
Digit
One of the elements that collectively form a system of numbers;
0 and 1 are digits
Number
(Slang) A frequently repeated, characteristic speech, argument, or performance
Suspects doing their usual number—protesting innocence.
Digit
The length of breadth of a finger used as a linear measure
Number
(Slang) A person or thing singled out for a particular characteristic
A crafty number.
Digit
A finger or toe in human beings or corresponding part in other vertebrates
Number
To assign a number to or mark with a number
Did you number the pages of the report?.
Digit
A single numerical character from 0 to 9.
The digit '7' appears twice in 177.
Number
To determine the number or amount of; count
Tickets sold for the show were numbered at 500.
Number
To total in number or amount; add up to
The ships in the harbor number around 100.
Number
To include in a group or category
He was numbered among the lost.
Number
To limit or restrict in number
Our days are numbered.
Number
To call off numbers; count
Numbering to ten.
Number
To have as a total; amount to a number
The applicants numbered in the thousands.
Number
(countable) An abstract entity used to describe quantity.
Zero, one, −1, 2.5, and pi are all numbers.
Number
(countable) A numeral: a symbol for a non-negative integer.
The number 8 is usually made with a single stroke.
Number
An element of one of several sets: natural numbers, integers, rational numbers, real numbers, complex numbers, and sometimes extensions such as hypercomplex numbers, etc.
The equation includes the most important numbers: 1, 0, , , and .
Number
(Followed by a numeral; used attributively) Indicating the position of something in a list or sequence. Abbreviations: No or No., no or no. (in each case, sometimes written with a superscript "o", like Nº or №). The symbol "#" is also used in this manner.
Horse number 5 won the race.
Number
Quantity.
Any number of people can be reading from a given repository at a time.
Number
A sequence of digits and letters used to register people, automobiles, and various other items.
Her passport number is C01X864TN.
Number
A telephone number.
Number
(grammar) Of a word or phrase, the state of being singular, dual or plural, shown by inflection.
Adjectives and nouns should agree in gender, number, and case.
Number
Poetic metres; verses, rhymes.
Number
(countable) A performance; especially, a single song or song and dance routine within a larger show.
For his second number, he sang "The Moon Shines Bright".
Number
A person.
Number
An item of clothing, particularly a stylish one.
Number
A marijuana cigarette, or joint; also, a quantity of marijuana bought from a dealer.
Number
(dated) An issue of a periodical publication.
The latest number of a magazine
Number
A large amount, in contrast to a smaller amount; numerical preponderance.
Number
A large amount of damage
Number
(transitive) To label (items) with numbers; to assign numbers to (items).
Number the baskets so that we can find them easily.
Number
(intransitive) To total or count; to amount to.
I don’t know how many books are in the library, but they must number in the thousands.
Number
That which admits of being counted or reckoned; a unit, or an aggregate of units; a numerable aggregate or collection of individuals; an assemblage made up of distinct things expressible by figures.
Number
A collection of many individuals; a numerous assemblage; a multitude; many.
Ladies are always of great use to the party they espouse, and never fail to win over numbers.
Number
A numeral; a word or character denoting a number; as, to put a number on a door.
Number
Numerousness; multitude.
Number itself importeth not much in armies where the people are of weak courage.
Number
The state or quality of being numerable or countable.
Of whom came nations, tribes, people, and kindreds out of number.
Number
Quantity, regarded as made up of an aggregate of separate things.
Number
That which is regulated by count; poetic measure, as divisions of time or number of syllables; hence, poetry, verse; - chiefly used in the plural.
I lisped in numbers, for the numbers came.
Number
The distinction of objects, as one, or more than one (in some languages, as one, or two, or more than two), expressed (usually) by a difference in the form of a word; thus, the singular number and the plural number are the names of the forms of a word indicating the objects denoted or referred to by the word as one, or as more than one.
Number
The measure of the relation between quantities or things of the same kind; that abstract species of quantity which is capable of being expressed by figures; numerical value.
Number
To count; to reckon; to ascertain the units of; to enumerate.
If a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered.
Number
To reckon as one of a collection or multitude.
He was numbered with the transgressors.
Number
To give or apply a number or numbers to; to assign the place of in a series by order of number; to designate the place of by a number or numeral; as, to number the houses in a street, or the apartments in a building.
Number
To amount; to equal in number; to contain; to consist of; as, the army numbers fifty thousand.
Thy tears can not number the dead.
Number
The property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals;
He had a number of chores to do
The number of parameters is small
The figure was about a thousand
Number
A concept of quantity derived from zero and units;
Every number has a unique position in the sequence
Number
A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program;
He did his act three times every evening
She had a catchy little routine
It was one of the best numbers he ever did
Number
A numeral or string of numerals that is used for identification;
She refused to give them her Social Security number
Number
The number is used in calling a particular telephone;
He has an unlisted number
Number
A symbol used to represent a number;
He learned to write the numerals before he went to school
Number
One of a series published periodically;
She found an old issue of the magazine in her dentist's waitingroom
Number
A select company of people;
I hope to become one of their number before I die
Number
The grammatical category for the forms of nouns and pronouns and verbs that are used depending on the number of entities involved (singular or dual or plural);
In English the subject and the verb must agree in number
Number
An item of merchandise offered for sale;
She preferred the black nylon number
This sweater is an all-wool number
Number
A clothing measurement;
A number 13 shoe
Number
Add up in number or quantity;
The bills amounted to $2,000
The bill came to $2,000
Number
Give numbers to;
You should number the pages of the thesis
Number
Enumerate;
We must number the names of the great mathematicians
Number
Put into a group;
The academy counts several Nobel Prize winners among its members
Number
Determine the number or amount of;
Can you count the books on your shelf?
Count your change
Number
Place a limit on the number of
Common Curiosities
Can a number consist of a single digit
Yes, numbers like 0, 5, and 9 consist of a single digit.
How many digits are there in the number 100
There are three digits in the number 100.
What is the difference between a digit and a number
A digit is a symbol used to make up numbers, whereas a number represents a quantity or value.
What is a digit
A digit is one of the symbols 0-9 used in representing numbers.
Are digits used in all number systems
Yes, digits are used in various forms across different number systems, although the symbols can vary.
What is an example of a number that is not a digit
123 is a number that consists of three digits.
How is the number 10 different from the digit 1
The number 10 is composed of two digits, '1' and '0', representing ten, while the digit '1' alone represents one.
How do digits function in mathematical calculations
Digits determine the value of a number based on their position.
How do children learn about digits and numbers
Children typically learn about digits and numbers through basic counting and math education.
How are numbers used in science
Numbers are used in science to express measurements, constants, and quantities precisely.
Is zero a digit or a number
Zero is both a digit and a number, representing the absence of quantity.
What are complex numbers
Complex numbers consist of a real and an imaginary part, extending beyond everyday counting numbers.
What is the significance of understanding numbers in technology
Understanding numbers is crucial in technology for coding, data processing, and calculations.
What role do numbers play in daily life
Numbers are essential for counting, measuring, financial transactions, and more.
Can a digit be negative
No, digits themselves are not negative, though they can be part of a negative number.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
