2nd Grade Ordinal Numbers

Learn 2nd grade ordinal numbers with simple explanations, colorful examples, and practice worksheets. Understand 1^st to 20^th easily at Math-Only-Math.

Ordinal numbers are an important part of mathematics for 2nd grade students. They help children understand position, order, and sequence in everyday life. When we talk about who is first in a race, which book is second on a shelf, or which day comes third in a week, we are using ordinal numbers.

In this lesson, we will learn what ordinal numbers are, how to write them, where we use them, and how to practice ordinal numbers easily.

What Are Ordinal Numbers?

Ordinal numbers are a kind of number names. They show the positions of things that are placed in a fixed order.

Ordinal numbers tell us the position or order of something in a list or sequence.
They answer questions like:

🟣 Which one comes first?

🟣 Who is second?

🟣 What is the third item?

Unlike counting numbers that tell how many, ordinal numbers tell which position.

For Examples:

The 1^st boy in the line.

The 2^nd floor of a building.

The 3^rd day of the week.

Look at the given picture to see the position of each child in the clown show.

Below are the most common ordinal numbers that 2nd grade students should learn:

How to Write Ordinal Numbers?

Ordinal numbers are written using special endings called suffixes.

1 → 1^st

2 → 2^nd

3 → 3^rd

All other numbers → th (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, etc.)

Note:

Even though most ordinal numbers end with “th”, the first three are special:

first (1^st)

second (2^nd)

third (3^rd)

Read and understand how to form ordinal numbers beyond 10.

Learning ordinal numbers from 11^th to 20^th helps students understand order and position in larger groups and prepares them for higher number concepts.

Note:

🟣 Eleven - Eleventh (add th)

🟣 Twenty - Twentieth (change y to ie and add th)

🟣 Twenty-one - Twenty-first (change the second number to an ordinal number).

🟣 From 11^th onward, most ordinal numbers follow a simple rule:

• Add “th” to the counting number.

For Example:

🟡 Rahul finished 11^th in the race.

🟡 The 15^th page of the book is missing.

🟡 My birthday is on the 20^th day of the month.

Difference Between Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers:

Understanding the difference helps students avoid confusion.

Ordinal Numbers in Everyday Life:

We use ordinal numbers every day without realizing it.

For Example:

🟠 Standing first in a queue.

🟠 Coming second in a race.

🟠 Living on the third floor.

🟠 Reading the fourth page of a book.

🟠 Monday is the first day of the school week.

🟠 The second child in the line gets a book.

🟠 The third house on the street is blue.

🟠 My classroom is on the fourth floor.

These real-life examples help students understand ordinal numbers better.

Ordinal numbers help us describe order clearly.

Ordinal Numbers in a Line or Order:

Ordinal numbers are often used when objects or people are arranged in a line.

For Example:

Five children are standing in a row.

🟢 Riya is 1^st

🟢 Aman is 2^nd

🟢 Neha is 3^rd

🟢Kunal is 4^th

🟢Sara is 5^th

This shows the position of each child.

Ordinal Numbers and Direction:

Ordinal numbers can be counted from:

🔴 Left to right

🔴 Right to left

For Example:

Look at five balls in a row.

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

 Students sometimes make small mistakes. Here’s how to fix them:

❌ Writing 3^th instead of 3^rd
✔ Correct: 3rd

❌ Mixing counting numbers and ordinal numbers.
✔ Use ordinal numbers for position only.

❌ Counting from the wrong direction.
✔ Always check left or right.

Why Ordinal Numbers Are Important in Maths?

Ordinal numbers help students:

🟠 Understand order and position

🟠 Follow instructions correctly

🟠 Improve reading and math skills

🟠 Prepare for advanced math topics

They are a foundation for number sense in later grades.

Thus, ordinal numbers tell position or order. Examples: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th

They are used in daily life. Special endings: st, nd, rd, th

Practice helps students master ordinal numbers.

With regular practice and real-life examples, 2nd grade students can easily learn ordinal numbers.

Worksheet on 2nd Grade Ordinal Numbers:

A. Write the Ordinal Numbers:

Write the correct ordinal number.

(i) 1 → __________

(ii) 2 → __________

(iii) 3 → __________

(iv) 4 → __________

(v) 5 → __________

B. Write the Ordinal Number Names:

Write the ordinal number name.

(i) 1^st → __________________

(ii) 2^nd → __________________

(iii) 3^rd → __________________

(iv) 4^th → __________________

(v) 5^th → __________________

C. Choose the Correct Ordinal Number

Circle the correct answer.

(i) Which child comes third?
(a) 1^st  (b) 3^rd  (c) 5^th

(ii) Which position comes after 2^nd?
(a) 3^rd  (b) 4^th  (c) 1^st

(iii) Which ordinal number shows position?
(a) 6  (b) 6^th  (c) six

D. Look at the Line and Answer:

Five children are standing in a line:

Riya, Aman, Neha, Kunal, Sara

(i) Who is 1st? __________________

(iii) Who is 3rd? __________________

(iv) Who is 5th? __________________

E. Fill in the Blanks:

(i) The ordinal number of 7 is __________

(ii) The ordinal number of 10 is __________

(iv) The ordinal number of 15 is __________

F. From Left or Right

Five balls are in a row.

🔵 🔴 🟠 🟢 🟣

(i) From the left, the green ball is __________

(ii) From the right, the green ball is __________

G. True or False

(i) Ordinal numbers tell position.  (  )

(ii) 3^rd is written as 3^th.  (  )

(iii) All ordinal numbers end with “th”.  (  )

Answers:

A. (i) 1^st

(ii) 2^nd

(iii) 3^rd

(iv) 4^th

(v) 5^th

B. (i) first

(ii) second

(iii) third

(iv) fourth

(v) fifth

C. (i) (b) 3^rd

(ii) (a) 3^rd

(iii) (b) 6^th

D. (i) Riya

(ii) Neha

(iii) Sara

E. (i) 7^th

(ii) 10^th

(iii) 15^th

F. (i) 4^th

(ii) 2^nd

G. (i) True

(ii) False

(iii) False

2nd Grade Math Practice

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