Which type of numbers is used to express 'how many' of something?

• A. Cardinal numbers
• B. Ordinal numbers
• C. Expanded form
• D. Bar diagram

Answer: (A)

Cardinal numbers are used to express quantity. They name how many items there are, such as one, two, three, and so on, and they answer questions like “How many?” For example, if you have seven apples, you would say seven apples — that’s cardinal numbering.

Ordinal numbers, by contrast, tell order or position (first, second, third). Expanded form is a way of writing a number by showing each place value (like 345 as 300 + 40 + 5). A bar diagram is a visual representation to compare quantities, not a type of number itself. So the best choice for expressing how many is cardinal numbers.