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Important Questions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 3: A Story of Numbers

Prepare for Class 8 Maths Chapter 3, A Story of Numbers, with important MCQs and practice questions. Key topics include ancient number systems (Babylonian, Egyptian, Chinese), Roman numerals, and expanded forms, complete with an answer key and free PDF download for fast revision.
authorImagePriyanka Agarwal6 Aug, 2026
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Chapter 3 of Class 8 Maths, A Story of Numbers, explores how human civilization developed numerical systems over time. From counting with fingers during the Stone Age to using bases in ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Chinese systems, this chapter forms a fundamental understanding of how numerical notation evolved into modern mathematics.

To help students score high marks in school tests and exams, Physics Wallah has curated important practice questions based on the latest pattern. Practising these questions helps students understand different number systems, place value concepts, and Roman numeral conversions efficiently.

Important Questions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 By PW

Here are important multiple-choice questions from Chapter 3 covering the origins of counting, base values of ancient systems, expanded forms, and Roman numerals.

Q1. The Babylonian number system was based on which base?

(A) 10

(B) 20

(C) 60

(D) 100

Q2. The earliest way humans started counting was by using:

(A) Abacus

(B) Fingers and body parts

(C) Numbers on paper

(D) Roman numerals

Q3. Which Roman numeral is incorrect?

(A) IX = 9

(B) IL = 49

(C) XL = 40

(D) CM = 900

Q4. The Egyptian number system was based on which base?

(A) 10

(B) 60

(C) 100

(D) 20

Q5. Write 763.42 in expanded form using powers of 10.

(A) (7 × 102) + (6 × 101) + (3 × 100) + (4 × 10–1) + (2 × 10–2)

(B) (7 × 103) + (6 × 102) + (3 × 101) + (4 × 100) + (2 × 10–1)

(C) (7 × 101) + (6 × 102) + (3 × 100) + (4 × 10–1) + (2 × 10–2)

(D) (7 × 101) + (6 × 100) + (3 × 102) + (4 × 10–1) + (2 × 10–2)

Q6. What are number systems called that use the position of a symbol to determine the landmark number it is associated with?

(A) Positional number systems or place value systems

(B) Roman numeral systems

(C) Random order

(D) None of the above

Q7. The Roman numeral for 2024 is:

(A) MMXXIV

(B) MMXXVI

(C) MMXLIV

(D) MMCDXXIV

Q8. The Babylonian number system was based on which base?

(A) 10

(B) 20

(C) 60

(D) 100

Q9. According to the chapter, when did humans first have the need to count?

(A) With the rise of modern civilization

(B) As early as the Stone Age

(C) After the invention of writing

(D) During the Bronze Age

Q10. In the Chinese number system, what do the symbols "Zongs" and "Hengs" represent?

(A) Zongs represent base 2 and Hengs represent base 8.

(B) Zongs represent tens, thousands, hundreds of thousands, etc., and Hengs represent units, hundreds, tens of thousands, etc.

(C) Zongs represent units, hundreds, tens of thousands, etc., and Hengs represent tens, thousands, hundreds of thousands, etc.

(D) None of these

Practising these ten core questions gives students a clear picture of historical counting developments and basic powers-of-10 math operations.

Important Questions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 PDF Download

Students looking for A Story of Numbers class 8 maths important questions with answers, pdf download can get the offline version directly to revise anytime, anywhere.

The downloadable version includes all MCQs, along with solutions to make offline studying quick and hassle-free.

Download Important Questions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 PDF 

Benefits of Practising Important Questions

Solving structured questions yields several clear benefits during exam preparation:

  • Deep Conceptual Understanding: Clear insights into base value systems like Egyptian (Base 10) and Babylonian (Base 60).

  • Speed and Accuracy: Quick recognition of Roman numerals and place value notation using power-of-10 expansion.

  • Exam Readiness: Familiarity with objective question types (MCQs) frequently asked in school assessments.

  • Quick Revision: Allows rapid self-testing right before tests without skimming through entire chapters.

Mastering A Story of Numbers helps build a strong foundation for future topics in number theory and base representations. Downloading the practice set and reviewing the answer key ensures students perform with full accuracy on exam day.

 

Important Questions for Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 FAQs

What is the chapter "A Story of Numbers" about?

It explains the historical evolution of counting systems from early human civilization, including positional place value, Roman numerals, and historical bases like Babylonian and Egyptian systems.

Where can I get the A Story of Numbers class 8 maths important questions with answers, pdf download?

You can access and download the PDF directly from this page to practice offline for school exams and quizzes.

What base did the Babylonian number system use?

The Babylonian number system was a sexagesimal system based on base 60.

What base did the ancient Egyptian system use?

The ancient Egyptian number system was based on base 10 (decimal system).
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