What type of numbers indicate quantity?

Cardinal numbers are used to indicate quantity. They represent how many items are present in a set, allowing individuals to understand the concept of 'counting' and 'quantity' in a clear and straightforward manner. For example, in the phrase “three apples,” the word "three" is a cardinal number indicating that there are three apples in total. This type of number is fundamental for developing numerical literacy in early childhood education, as it forms the basis for counting skills and basic arithmetic.

In contrast, nominal numbers refer to labels or identifiers, such as a jersey number in sports, which do not convey any quantity but rather serve to distinguish one item from another. Ordinal numbers express position or order within a series, such as "first," "second," or "third," rather than indicating how many items are present. Whole numbers include all non-negative integers (0, 1, 2, 3, etc.), but the term does not specifically define quantity without the context of what is being counted, unlike cardinal numbers which directly address quantity.