Large numbers are made from many digits and are bigger than what we generally use in our daily lives. For example, we use large numbers when we talk about the population of India or the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Large numbers in maths are used to solve problems with large values.
Understanding what large numbers are helps you learn how to count, compare, and solve different types of questions. Whether it is adding large numbers, subtracting large numbers, or doing multiplication and division of large numbers, learning how to handle them step by step can make your problem-solving much easier.
Read More: Simple Equations
What are the Large Numbers?
One common question that children ask is, "What are the large numbers?"
The answer is simple: "Large numbers are numbers that have many digits and follow a pattern that makes them easier to read." In Maths, we group numbers from right to left as ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on. When the number gets bigger and moves beyond thousands into lakhs, crores, millions, or billions, then it becomes a large number.
To make reading easy, we use commas to separate them into parts. In the Indian system, we write numbers like 1,00,000 for one lakh and 1,00,00,000 for one crore. In the international system, large numbers are grouped as thousands, millions, and billions. For example, 10,000,000 is ten million. Learning this format helps you read and write large numbers in the right way, no matter how big they are.
Examples of Large Numbers in Maths
In Maths, we use large numbers when we talk about things that have very high value, like the population of a country, the cost of a space mission, or the distance between stars. These numbers are much bigger than what we use in daily life, like counting books or chocolates. To understand it better, check some common examples of large numbers in Maths here:
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One Million: 1,000,000 (This is 1 followed by six zeros.)
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One Billion: 1,000,000,000 (1 followed by nine zeros)
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One Trillion: 1,000,000,000,000 (1 followed by twelve zeros)
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One Quadrillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000 (1 followed by fifteen zeros)
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One Quintillion: 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (1 followed by eighteen zeros)
These large numbers are also used in subjects like science and economics. For example, scientists use them to measure distances in space, and bankers use them to count large amounts of money. Once you understand how to read and write these numbers, it becomes much easier to use them to add, subtract, multiply, or divide while solving Maths problems.
Read More: Basic Algebra
Arithmetic Operations on Large Numbers
Arithmetic operations on large numbers mean doing basic maths like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with numbers that have many digits. These operations work the same way as they do with small numbers, but since large numbers are bigger, we have to be more careful with place value while solving them. Let's learn how adding large numbers works first.
1. Adding Large Numbers
For adding large numbers, we use the column method. This means we write the numbers one under the other, making sure the digits are lined up properly, like ones under ones, tens under tens, and so on.
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Then we start adding from the right side. First the ones place, then tens, then hundreds, and continue like that.
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If the sum of any column is more than 9, we carry over the extra number to the next column.
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This way, we move step by step till the last digit is added, and we get the final answer.
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Being careful with place value makes adding large numbers easy and correct.
2. Subtraction of Large Numbers
Subtraction of Large Numbers also uses the column subtraction method. First, we write both numbers one under the other, making sure the digits are lined up according to their place values.
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Then we start subtracting from the rightmost column, which is the ones place.
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If the digit on the top is smaller than the one below it, we borrow 1 from the next left column.
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After borrowing, we subtract the digits as usual.
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We keep moving to the left, column by column, until the subtraction is complete.
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It is important that you do the subtraction of large numbers carefully, as it helps avoid mistakes when solving questions based on large numbers.
3. Multiplication of Large Numbers
Multiplication of large numbers is done using the column method, just like we do with smaller numbers, but it needs more effort.
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First, we write the numbers properly, one below the other.
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Then we start by multiplying the digit in the ones place of the bottom number by each digit of the top number.
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Once we finish one line of multiplication, we move to the next digit of the bottom number. This time, we place a zero in the ones place before starting the next line.
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We repeat the same process for all digits.
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At the end, we add all the answers we got from each line to get the final result.
You may find such questions a bit tough at the beginning, but if you keep practicing, questions that are based on the multiplication of large numbers become easy to solve.
4. Dividing Large Numbers
For dividing large numbers in maths, we use the long division method. This means we break the number into smaller parts and divide step by step, starting from the left side.
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The large number we want to divide is called the dividend, and the number we divide it by is called the divisor. The answer we get is called the quotient, and if something is left over, it is called the remainder.
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We divide, then multiply, then subtract, and we repeat this until we get the answer.
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Dividing large numbers may take a bit more time as compared to others.
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This is because it is done step by step: we divide, then multiply, and then subtract. These steps are repeated until the whole number is solved. That's why practicing questions that need dividing large numbers can help you solve such questions in an easy manner.
Large Numbers Worksheet
Now that you've learned what are the large numbers and how to do basic arithmetic operations like adding large numbers, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing large numbers, it’s time to practice them. Find some simple practice questions on large numbers along with their final answers here:
Practice Questions:
Ques. 1. Add 4,56,789 and 3,21,645
Ques. 2. Add 8,12,503 and 7,45,210
Ques. 3. Subtract 6,45,128 from 9,78,345
Ques. 4. Subtract 4,29,776 from 7,00,000
Ques. 5. Divide 9,00,000 by 300
Ques. 6. Divide 6,30,000 by 210
Ques. 7. Multiply 1,025 by 425
Ques. 8. Multiply 2,450 by 360
Answers:
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7,78,434
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15,57,713
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3,33,217
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2,70,224
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3,000
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3,000
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4,35,625
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8,82,000
Also Read: Basic Geometrical Ideas
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