Arithmetic Progression

What are Successor and Predecessor in Maths?

Introduction to Successor and Predecessor in Maths

The terms successor and predecessor in Maths signify terms that are directly after or before a particular number, respectively. Furthermore, this applies only to whole numbers. Successor and predecessor are called as after numbers and before numbers respectively.

Predecessor refers to the previous term of a particular term while the successor refers to the next term of a particular term. In order to find the successor of a whole number, one must add one to the particular given number.In order to find a predecessor, one must subtract one from the particular given number.

 

successor and predecessor

Successor and Predecessor: How to Find the Successor( Successor of 45)

Successors are an important part of maths. They certainly have important applications in the field of maths and science. Furthermore, there are two methods for finding the successor of any specific number.

In the first method, one must say the counting numbers and make a stop at the given specific number. Moreover, the individual must say the next number. Most noteworthy, this next number would be the successor of the given specific number.

Example: Find the successor of 14. Now one must say 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 and the next number is 15. Hence, 15 is the successor of 14.

However, this method is suitable only for small numbers.

In the second method, the successor for the big numbers is found by adding 1 to it. This method is suitable for big numbers.

Example: The successor of 45 is 45 + 1 = 46. Therefore, 46 happens to be the successor of 45. Similarly, the successor of 9 is 9 + 1 = 10, and successor of 69 is 69 + 1 + 70.

Successor and Predecessor: How to Find the Predecessor(Predecessor of 15)

Predecessor means before the number. Similar to successors, they also have important applications in the field of maths and science. Above all, there are two methods to find before the number or the predecessor.

In the first method, one must say the counting numbers. Furthermore, the individual must stop at the number up to which he has to find them before the number.

Example: Find the before number or predecessor of 11. So, one must say 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11.

Therefore, before 11 we said 10. Hence, 10 is the predecessor of 11.

In the second method, one must subtract 1 from the given number. Furthermore, this method is essential in order to find the predecessor of a given specific number. Most noteworthy, there is no predecessor of a whole number zero.

Example: predecessor of 15 is 15 – 1 = 14. Similarly, the predecessor of 17 is 17 – 1 =16 and predecessor of 55 is 55 – 1`= 54.

Whole Numbers

One important point for everyone to note is that successor and predecessor apply only to whole numbers. This means that they apply to numbers like zero, one, two, three, and so on.

They also don’t apply to decimals, fractions, or negative numbers. Furthermore, every whole number certainly has a successor. Also, every whole number has a predecessor with the exception of zero.

Solved Question For You

Q1. Which of the following statements is not true when it comes to successor and predecessor in maths?

A. They don’t apply to whole numbers
B. They are called as after numbers and before numbers respectively
C. They have important applications in the field of maths and science
D. Both successors and predecessors involve two methods of finding them out

A1. The correct answer is option A., which is “they don’t apply to whole numbers”. This is because; successors and predecessors only apply to whole numbers.

This is clearly in contrast to what the option A. says. Moreover, the other three options clearly are true when it comes to successors and predecessors in maths.

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