How should I phrase a question that must be answered with an ordinal number (e.g., the third prime)?
I want to make a question having an answer as follows:
5 is the third prime number.
The bold part is the answer. How to phrase the question?
questions ordinals
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
|
show 2 more comments
I want to make a question having an answer as follows:
5 is the third prime number.
The bold part is the answer. How to phrase the question?
questions ordinals
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
3
We need a [jeopardy] tag...
– Adam
Mar 7 '11 at 20:00
6
An eternal question about English. :-) We all heard this growing up. (There are expressions in our native languages, equivalent to "how many'th" but grammatical, so this was a natural question to ask.)
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 9:32
1
If George Washington was the first president, which number is Barack Obama? ... and maybe include instructions on whether to count Grover Cleveland once or twice.
– GEdgar
Mar 17 '14 at 15:24
Umm..I'm afraid I'm not looking at it this way. What if the statement is GW was the 1st president of the United States of America, with emphasis on first?
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:27
3
English doesn't have a special question word, nor even a good construction, to ask questions specifically about ordinal numbers (first, second, ..., forty-fourth, ...), the way How many? asks about cardinal numbers. If we had a productive morphology, we could ask "*How manyth President is Barack Obama?" But we don't.
– John Lawler
Mar 17 '14 at 15:38
|
show 2 more comments
I want to make a question having an answer as follows:
5 is the third prime number.
The bold part is the answer. How to phrase the question?
questions ordinals
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
I want to make a question having an answer as follows:
5 is the third prime number.
The bold part is the answer. How to phrase the question?
questions ordinals
questions ordinals
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
edited Nov 27 '12 at 9:42
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
83.3k31281381
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
asked Feb 22 '11 at 10:06
LaTeXLaTeX
298139
298139
3
We need a [jeopardy] tag...
– Adam
Mar 7 '11 at 20:00
6
An eternal question about English. :-) We all heard this growing up. (There are expressions in our native languages, equivalent to "how many'th" but grammatical, so this was a natural question to ask.)
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 9:32
1
If George Washington was the first president, which number is Barack Obama? ... and maybe include instructions on whether to count Grover Cleveland once or twice.
– GEdgar
Mar 17 '14 at 15:24
Umm..I'm afraid I'm not looking at it this way. What if the statement is GW was the 1st president of the United States of America, with emphasis on first?
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:27
3
English doesn't have a special question word, nor even a good construction, to ask questions specifically about ordinal numbers (first, second, ..., forty-fourth, ...), the way How many? asks about cardinal numbers. If we had a productive morphology, we could ask "*How manyth President is Barack Obama?" But we don't.
– John Lawler
Mar 17 '14 at 15:38
|
show 2 more comments
3
We need a [jeopardy] tag...
– Adam
Mar 7 '11 at 20:00
6
An eternal question about English. :-) We all heard this growing up. (There are expressions in our native languages, equivalent to "how many'th" but grammatical, so this was a natural question to ask.)
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 9:32
1
If George Washington was the first president, which number is Barack Obama? ... and maybe include instructions on whether to count Grover Cleveland once or twice.
– GEdgar
Mar 17 '14 at 15:24
Umm..I'm afraid I'm not looking at it this way. What if the statement is GW was the 1st president of the United States of America, with emphasis on first?
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:27
3
English doesn't have a special question word, nor even a good construction, to ask questions specifically about ordinal numbers (first, second, ..., forty-fourth, ...), the way How many? asks about cardinal numbers. If we had a productive morphology, we could ask "*How manyth President is Barack Obama?" But we don't.
– John Lawler
Mar 17 '14 at 15:38
3
3
We need a [jeopardy] tag...
– Adam
Mar 7 '11 at 20:00
We need a [jeopardy] tag...
– Adam
Mar 7 '11 at 20:00
6
6
An eternal question about English. :-) We all heard this growing up. (There are expressions in our native languages, equivalent to "how many'th" but grammatical, so this was a natural question to ask.)
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 9:32
An eternal question about English. :-) We all heard this growing up. (There are expressions in our native languages, equivalent to "how many'th" but grammatical, so this was a natural question to ask.)
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 9:32
1
1
If George Washington was the first president, which number is Barack Obama? ... and maybe include instructions on whether to count Grover Cleveland once or twice.
– GEdgar
Mar 17 '14 at 15:24
If George Washington was the first president, which number is Barack Obama? ... and maybe include instructions on whether to count Grover Cleveland once or twice.
– GEdgar
Mar 17 '14 at 15:24
Umm..I'm afraid I'm not looking at it this way. What if the statement is GW was the 1st president of the United States of America, with emphasis on first?
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:27
Umm..I'm afraid I'm not looking at it this way. What if the statement is GW was the 1st president of the United States of America, with emphasis on first?
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:27
3
3
English doesn't have a special question word, nor even a good construction, to ask questions specifically about ordinal numbers (first, second, ..., forty-fourth, ...), the way How many? asks about cardinal numbers. If we had a productive morphology, we could ask "*How manyth President is Barack Obama?" But we don't.
– John Lawler
Mar 17 '14 at 15:38
English doesn't have a special question word, nor even a good construction, to ask questions specifically about ordinal numbers (first, second, ..., forty-fourth, ...), the way How many? asks about cardinal numbers. If we had a productive morphology, we could ask "*How manyth President is Barack Obama?" But we don't.
– John Lawler
Mar 17 '14 at 15:38
|
show 2 more comments
19 Answers
19
active
oldest
votes
FX's answer is an excellent option (and has my vote).
One other technique that is sometimes used in math or science questions is to give an example response as part of the question:
The number two is the first prime
number. In the sequence of prime
numbers, what is the position of the
number five?
This is particularly effective for a verbal question, where using a variable 'n' may be more confusing than it is in print (depending on the audience). One disadvantage is the relative verbosity of this form, but it is mathematically unambiguous while expressly stating the desired form of the answer.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
add a comment |
Why not simply use the term ordinal directly? For example:
What ordinal number reflects the position of the number five in the set of prime numbers?
or more succinctly:
What is the ordinality of five in the set of prime numbers?
Ordinality might be a bit of a neologism, but the meaning should be clear to anyone familiar with the root, I think.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
1
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
11
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
add a comment |
There is no single, definite, one or two-word answer to that. There is some usage, mostly oral, of constructs like “5 is the how manyth prime number?”, but it is definitely not Standard English.
So, the answer to your question will be to reformulate it. For example, if it were a question to a math test, I would say:
For the sentence “5 is the nth prime number” to be correct, what should be the value of n?
or
5 is the nth prime number. What is the correct value of n?
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
1
Which one is the correct one?what should be the value of norwhat should the value of n be?
– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
7
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
1
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinalnto the ordinalnth.
– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
add a comment |
Rephrasing slightly, I'd ask: what is the position of 5 in the sequence of prime numbers?
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
add a comment |
It can be "What is the rank of 5 in prime number series?"
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
add a comment |
You could use sequentially, as in
Sequentially, which prime is 5?
However, the term is not completely unambiguous: "Sequentially, which president was Abraham Lincoln?" could legitimately be answered with "Well, he was the one after James Buchanan and before Andrew Johnson"; similarly, as a prime, five is "preceded by 3 and succeeded by 7".
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
add a comment |
I think you could say:
5 is which prime number?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
11
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
5
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
9
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
4
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
1
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
|
show 1 more comment
I would phrase it as:
In a list of prime numbers, in which position does 5 appear?
add a comment |
What is the position of n in the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
add a comment |
Whew, I had to read this a few times
In a list of prime numbers, where is the number 5?
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
add a comment |
In the series of primes described using the following constructs, 2 is the first prime number and 3 is the second prime number, what is 5?
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
add a comment |
What is the ordinal status of 5 in the set of prime numbers?
sounds a bit too mathematical, huh?
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
add a comment |
In getting an ordinal response from our kids on quizzes we ask "what is the number-[thing]?", pronounced almost as if it were hyphenated "what number-president is G. W. Bush?". In writing I would be very specific, usually with leading example: "In terms of land area Alaska is first; what is Rhode Island?"
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
add a comment |
The phrase n...nth is conventionally used for cases like this.
In one sentence, the question can concisely be phrased thus:
For what value of n is five the nth prime number?
If you wanted to use words that are not coined by math, you could use a slightly more ambiguous question:
Which term is five on the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
add a comment |
How many prime numbers are less than five? The answer sought will be one greater than the answer given.
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
1
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
add a comment |
You could ask "what is the ordinality of George Washington in the series of U.S. Presidents?".
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
add a comment |
Who is the 44th President of the United States?
Otherwise, the possibilities are infinite.
How many presidents have there been up to the present day, and who is the most recent?
Why is Barack Obama #44 on a list of US Presidents?
You're going to need to narrow down the context.
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
add a comment |
The answer nobody gave is because they assume the answer must be given as a sentence. You will want to ask a question that fills in the blank.
The question is usually posed in tests as:
Foo is the ____(st/nd/rd/th) bar.
Either you want the ordinal or you want what the ordinal counts. You can't (effectively) ask for both things without some context. There are many answers to 5 is __. There's only one answer for 5 is the _(st/nd/rd/th) prime number
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
add a comment |
The prime number (N) is equal to the sum total of all prime numbers < N. Which prime number is N in the ordinal ranking of primes?
That's if you want to be a bit mean and confusing.
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
add a comment |
protected by RegDwigнt♦ Aug 25 '14 at 14:19
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19 Answers
19
active
oldest
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19 Answers
19
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
FX's answer is an excellent option (and has my vote).
One other technique that is sometimes used in math or science questions is to give an example response as part of the question:
The number two is the first prime
number. In the sequence of prime
numbers, what is the position of the
number five?
This is particularly effective for a verbal question, where using a variable 'n' may be more confusing than it is in print (depending on the audience). One disadvantage is the relative verbosity of this form, but it is mathematically unambiguous while expressly stating the desired form of the answer.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
add a comment |
FX's answer is an excellent option (and has my vote).
One other technique that is sometimes used in math or science questions is to give an example response as part of the question:
The number two is the first prime
number. In the sequence of prime
numbers, what is the position of the
number five?
This is particularly effective for a verbal question, where using a variable 'n' may be more confusing than it is in print (depending on the audience). One disadvantage is the relative verbosity of this form, but it is mathematically unambiguous while expressly stating the desired form of the answer.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
add a comment |
FX's answer is an excellent option (and has my vote).
One other technique that is sometimes used in math or science questions is to give an example response as part of the question:
The number two is the first prime
number. In the sequence of prime
numbers, what is the position of the
number five?
This is particularly effective for a verbal question, where using a variable 'n' may be more confusing than it is in print (depending on the audience). One disadvantage is the relative verbosity of this form, but it is mathematically unambiguous while expressly stating the desired form of the answer.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
FX's answer is an excellent option (and has my vote).
One other technique that is sometimes used in math or science questions is to give an example response as part of the question:
The number two is the first prime
number. In the sequence of prime
numbers, what is the position of the
number five?
This is particularly effective for a verbal question, where using a variable 'n' may be more confusing than it is in print (depending on the audience). One disadvantage is the relative verbosity of this form, but it is mathematically unambiguous while expressly stating the desired form of the answer.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
answered Mar 3 '11 at 20:06
robert_x44robert_x44
1,106711
1,106711
add a comment |
add a comment |
Why not simply use the term ordinal directly? For example:
What ordinal number reflects the position of the number five in the set of prime numbers?
or more succinctly:
What is the ordinality of five in the set of prime numbers?
Ordinality might be a bit of a neologism, but the meaning should be clear to anyone familiar with the root, I think.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
1
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
11
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
add a comment |
Why not simply use the term ordinal directly? For example:
What ordinal number reflects the position of the number five in the set of prime numbers?
or more succinctly:
What is the ordinality of five in the set of prime numbers?
Ordinality might be a bit of a neologism, but the meaning should be clear to anyone familiar with the root, I think.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
1
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
11
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
add a comment |
Why not simply use the term ordinal directly? For example:
What ordinal number reflects the position of the number five in the set of prime numbers?
or more succinctly:
What is the ordinality of five in the set of prime numbers?
Ordinality might be a bit of a neologism, but the meaning should be clear to anyone familiar with the root, I think.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
Why not simply use the term ordinal directly? For example:
What ordinal number reflects the position of the number five in the set of prime numbers?
or more succinctly:
What is the ordinality of five in the set of prime numbers?
Ordinality might be a bit of a neologism, but the meaning should be clear to anyone familiar with the root, I think.
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
edited Mar 3 '11 at 23:53
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
answered Mar 3 '11 at 23:43
BenOfTomorrowBenOfTomorrow
81868
81868
1
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
11
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
add a comment |
1
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
11
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
1
1
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
Among others, I like this answer most.
– LaTeX
Mar 4 '11 at 0:57
11
11
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Strictly correct, but not a very easy question to understand if by people who are not well educated in mathematics. (Most people I know who don't do science for a living will stop listening to what you say at “ordinal number”, and start thinking hard about what it could possibly mean.)
– F'x
Mar 4 '11 at 7:59
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
Yeah. This is probably the best way to answer the question followed by FX's second suggestion.
– Dark Star1
Mar 9 '11 at 16:58
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
@F'x Since this is a math question (it is asking about Ordinal and Prime numbers), how can it be inappropriate to expect knowledge of math to be required to answer it correctly? I guess we are broadening the question to the generic, asking how to get an ordinal number as an answer to any question, math related or not? I'm thinking then, that the question should be edited to reflect this. I'd do it, but not being a regular here, though, I'm not sure I should.
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:43
add a comment |
There is no single, definite, one or two-word answer to that. There is some usage, mostly oral, of constructs like “5 is the how manyth prime number?”, but it is definitely not Standard English.
So, the answer to your question will be to reformulate it. For example, if it were a question to a math test, I would say:
For the sentence “5 is the nth prime number” to be correct, what should be the value of n?
or
5 is the nth prime number. What is the correct value of n?
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
1
Which one is the correct one?what should be the value of norwhat should the value of n be?
– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
7
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
1
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinalnto the ordinalnth.
– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
add a comment |
There is no single, definite, one or two-word answer to that. There is some usage, mostly oral, of constructs like “5 is the how manyth prime number?”, but it is definitely not Standard English.
So, the answer to your question will be to reformulate it. For example, if it were a question to a math test, I would say:
For the sentence “5 is the nth prime number” to be correct, what should be the value of n?
or
5 is the nth prime number. What is the correct value of n?
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
1
Which one is the correct one?what should be the value of norwhat should the value of n be?
– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
7
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
1
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinalnto the ordinalnth.
– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
add a comment |
There is no single, definite, one or two-word answer to that. There is some usage, mostly oral, of constructs like “5 is the how manyth prime number?”, but it is definitely not Standard English.
So, the answer to your question will be to reformulate it. For example, if it were a question to a math test, I would say:
For the sentence “5 is the nth prime number” to be correct, what should be the value of n?
or
5 is the nth prime number. What is the correct value of n?
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
There is no single, definite, one or two-word answer to that. There is some usage, mostly oral, of constructs like “5 is the how manyth prime number?”, but it is definitely not Standard English.
So, the answer to your question will be to reformulate it. For example, if it were a question to a math test, I would say:
For the sentence “5 is the nth prime number” to be correct, what should be the value of n?
or
5 is the nth prime number. What is the correct value of n?
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
edited Oct 12 '13 at 11:38
RegDwigнt♦
83.3k31281381
83.3k31281381
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
F'xF'x
33.6k15125221
33.6k15125221
1
Which one is the correct one?what should be the value of norwhat should the value of n be?
– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
7
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
1
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinalnto the ordinalnth.
– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
add a comment |
1
Which one is the correct one?what should be the value of norwhat should the value of n be?
– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
7
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
1
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinalnto the ordinalnth.
– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
1
1
Which one is the correct one?
what should be the value of n or what should the value of n be?– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
Which one is the correct one?
what should be the value of n or what should the value of n be?– LaTeX
Feb 22 '11 at 10:21
7
7
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
I think both are correct: what should be X? and what should X be? (for X = “the value of n”). However, the longer X is, the clearer the first construct is.
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:26
1
1
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
Against 20 upvotes, I hesitate to ask, but I wonder how this answer can be correct. The value of n in the examples here would be 5, which is not an ordinal number, and the OP asks for a question form that would require an ordinal number as the answer. No? What am I missing?
– sarah
Mar 4 '14 at 2:33
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinal
n to the ordinal nth.– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
@sarah "nth" converts the cardinal
n to the ordinal nth.– March Ho
Oct 20 '15 at 23:22
add a comment |
Rephrasing slightly, I'd ask: what is the position of 5 in the sequence of prime numbers?
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
add a comment |
Rephrasing slightly, I'd ask: what is the position of 5 in the sequence of prime numbers?
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
add a comment |
Rephrasing slightly, I'd ask: what is the position of 5 in the sequence of prime numbers?
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
Rephrasing slightly, I'd ask: what is the position of 5 in the sequence of prime numbers?
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
answered Mar 4 '11 at 5:30
Geoff CanyonGeoff Canyon
1394
1394
add a comment |
add a comment |
It can be "What is the rank of 5 in prime number series?"
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
add a comment |
It can be "What is the rank of 5 in prime number series?"
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
add a comment |
It can be "What is the rank of 5 in prime number series?"
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
It can be "What is the rank of 5 in prime number series?"
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
answered Mar 4 '11 at 4:40
Anil SomanAnil Soman
250139
250139
add a comment |
add a comment |
You could use sequentially, as in
Sequentially, which prime is 5?
However, the term is not completely unambiguous: "Sequentially, which president was Abraham Lincoln?" could legitimately be answered with "Well, he was the one after James Buchanan and before Andrew Johnson"; similarly, as a prime, five is "preceded by 3 and succeeded by 7".
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
add a comment |
You could use sequentially, as in
Sequentially, which prime is 5?
However, the term is not completely unambiguous: "Sequentially, which president was Abraham Lincoln?" could legitimately be answered with "Well, he was the one after James Buchanan and before Andrew Johnson"; similarly, as a prime, five is "preceded by 3 and succeeded by 7".
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
add a comment |
You could use sequentially, as in
Sequentially, which prime is 5?
However, the term is not completely unambiguous: "Sequentially, which president was Abraham Lincoln?" could legitimately be answered with "Well, he was the one after James Buchanan and before Andrew Johnson"; similarly, as a prime, five is "preceded by 3 and succeeded by 7".
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
You could use sequentially, as in
Sequentially, which prime is 5?
However, the term is not completely unambiguous: "Sequentially, which president was Abraham Lincoln?" could legitimately be answered with "Well, he was the one after James Buchanan and before Andrew Johnson"; similarly, as a prime, five is "preceded by 3 and succeeded by 7".
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
edited Jun 20 '15 at 14:18
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
answered Aug 25 '14 at 14:22
Dan BronDan Bron
26.1k1286122
26.1k1286122
add a comment |
add a comment |
I think you could say:
5 is which prime number?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
11
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
5
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
9
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
4
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
1
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
|
show 1 more comment
I think you could say:
5 is which prime number?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
11
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
5
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
9
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
4
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
1
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
|
show 1 more comment
I think you could say:
5 is which prime number?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
I think you could say:
5 is which prime number?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:15
HellionHellion
54.5k14109197
54.5k14109197
11
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
5
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
9
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
4
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
1
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
|
show 1 more comment
11
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
5
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
9
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
4
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
1
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
11
11
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
An my answer would be, "The one before seven."
– Peter Olson
Mar 3 '11 at 17:26
5
5
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
And I'd say, "Don't be a smartass." :-)
– Hellion
Mar 4 '11 at 4:44
9
9
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
Without more context, I would not know what form of answer you were looking for.
– luqui
Mar 7 '11 at 7:51
4
4
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
I agree with luqui. If I saw "5 is which prime number?" without context, I'd probably say "Er… 5 is 5. Which other prime number can it be?"
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 16:38
1
1
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
This could also be answered by "5 is the happy prime number!" Or any other adjective. Not necessarily indicating the position.
– mikhailcazi
Oct 12 '13 at 11:24
|
show 1 more comment
I would phrase it as:
In a list of prime numbers, in which position does 5 appear?
add a comment |
I would phrase it as:
In a list of prime numbers, in which position does 5 appear?
add a comment |
I would phrase it as:
In a list of prime numbers, in which position does 5 appear?
I would phrase it as:
In a list of prime numbers, in which position does 5 appear?
answered Mar 9 '11 at 15:03
user1784
add a comment |
add a comment |
What is the position of n in the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
add a comment |
What is the position of n in the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
add a comment |
What is the position of n in the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
What is the position of n in the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
answered Mar 9 '11 at 16:34
YitzchakYitzchak
1,191512
1,191512
add a comment |
add a comment |
Whew, I had to read this a few times
In a list of prime numbers, where is the number 5?
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
add a comment |
Whew, I had to read this a few times
In a list of prime numbers, where is the number 5?
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
add a comment |
Whew, I had to read this a few times
In a list of prime numbers, where is the number 5?
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
Whew, I had to read this a few times
In a list of prime numbers, where is the number 5?
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
answered Feb 22 '11 at 10:13
mplungjanmplungjan
27.6k471109
27.6k471109
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
add a comment |
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
The question is asked the other way around (5 is not the answer, but part of the question).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:15
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Also, 5 is the third prime number, starting from 2 (1 is usually not considered prime, and if it is, then 5 is the fourth prime number starting from 1).
– F'x
Feb 22 '11 at 10:16
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Right you are. I had to read the question again
– mplungjan
Feb 22 '11 at 10:17
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
Jedi you are; in you is the Force.
– kiamlaluno
Mar 8 '11 at 0:43
add a comment |
In the series of primes described using the following constructs, 2 is the first prime number and 3 is the second prime number, what is 5?
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
add a comment |
In the series of primes described using the following constructs, 2 is the first prime number and 3 is the second prime number, what is 5?
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
add a comment |
In the series of primes described using the following constructs, 2 is the first prime number and 3 is the second prime number, what is 5?
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
In the series of primes described using the following constructs, 2 is the first prime number and 3 is the second prime number, what is 5?
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
answered Mar 7 '11 at 18:25
n0nChunn0nChun
2,15751822
2,15751822
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
add a comment |
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
Alternatively, "If two is described as 'the first prime number', and three is described as 'the second prime number', how would five be described?"
– supercat
Oct 15 '12 at 17:59
add a comment |
What is the ordinal status of 5 in the set of prime numbers?
sounds a bit too mathematical, huh?
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
add a comment |
What is the ordinal status of 5 in the set of prime numbers?
sounds a bit too mathematical, huh?
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
add a comment |
What is the ordinal status of 5 in the set of prime numbers?
sounds a bit too mathematical, huh?
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
What is the ordinal status of 5 in the set of prime numbers?
sounds a bit too mathematical, huh?
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
edited Mar 10 '11 at 15:20
F'x
33.6k15125221
33.6k15125221
answered Mar 9 '11 at 17:32
user5899
add a comment |
add a comment |
In getting an ordinal response from our kids on quizzes we ask "what is the number-[thing]?", pronounced almost as if it were hyphenated "what number-president is G. W. Bush?". In writing I would be very specific, usually with leading example: "In terms of land area Alaska is first; what is Rhode Island?"
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
add a comment |
In getting an ordinal response from our kids on quizzes we ask "what is the number-[thing]?", pronounced almost as if it were hyphenated "what number-president is G. W. Bush?". In writing I would be very specific, usually with leading example: "In terms of land area Alaska is first; what is Rhode Island?"
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
add a comment |
In getting an ordinal response from our kids on quizzes we ask "what is the number-[thing]?", pronounced almost as if it were hyphenated "what number-president is G. W. Bush?". In writing I would be very specific, usually with leading example: "In terms of land area Alaska is first; what is Rhode Island?"
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
In getting an ordinal response from our kids on quizzes we ask "what is the number-[thing]?", pronounced almost as if it were hyphenated "what number-president is G. W. Bush?". In writing I would be very specific, usually with leading example: "In terms of land area Alaska is first; what is Rhode Island?"
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
answered Aug 25 '14 at 13:52
CentzonCentzon
91176
91176
add a comment |
add a comment |
The phrase n...nth is conventionally used for cases like this.
In one sentence, the question can concisely be phrased thus:
For what value of n is five the nth prime number?
If you wanted to use words that are not coined by math, you could use a slightly more ambiguous question:
Which term is five on the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
add a comment |
The phrase n...nth is conventionally used for cases like this.
In one sentence, the question can concisely be phrased thus:
For what value of n is five the nth prime number?
If you wanted to use words that are not coined by math, you could use a slightly more ambiguous question:
Which term is five on the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
add a comment |
The phrase n...nth is conventionally used for cases like this.
In one sentence, the question can concisely be phrased thus:
For what value of n is five the nth prime number?
If you wanted to use words that are not coined by math, you could use a slightly more ambiguous question:
Which term is five on the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
The phrase n...nth is conventionally used for cases like this.
In one sentence, the question can concisely be phrased thus:
For what value of n is five the nth prime number?
If you wanted to use words that are not coined by math, you could use a slightly more ambiguous question:
Which term is five on the series of prime numbers?
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
answered Mar 3 '11 at 16:14
Peter OlsonPeter Olson
4,46753654
4,46753654
add a comment |
add a comment |
How many prime numbers are less than five? The answer sought will be one greater than the answer given.
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
1
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
add a comment |
How many prime numbers are less than five? The answer sought will be one greater than the answer given.
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
1
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
add a comment |
How many prime numbers are less than five? The answer sought will be one greater than the answer given.
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
How many prime numbers are less than five? The answer sought will be one greater than the answer given.
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
answered Mar 7 '11 at 19:11
supercatsupercat
929810
929810
1
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
add a comment |
1
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
1
1
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
But the answer will not be given in ordinal form.
– dj18
Oct 15 '12 at 13:58
add a comment |
You could ask "what is the ordinality of George Washington in the series of U.S. Presidents?".
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
add a comment |
You could ask "what is the ordinality of George Washington in the series of U.S. Presidents?".
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
add a comment |
You could ask "what is the ordinality of George Washington in the series of U.S. Presidents?".
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
You could ask "what is the ordinality of George Washington in the series of U.S. Presidents?".
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:35
Spehro PefhanySpehro Pefhany
8,43312142
8,43312142
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
add a comment |
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
Yup. This is it.
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:45
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
You could also order a Shirley Temple in a biker bar.
– Spehro Pefhany
Mar 17 '14 at 15:59
add a comment |
Who is the 44th President of the United States?
Otherwise, the possibilities are infinite.
How many presidents have there been up to the present day, and who is the most recent?
Why is Barack Obama #44 on a list of US Presidents?
You're going to need to narrow down the context.
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
add a comment |
Who is the 44th President of the United States?
Otherwise, the possibilities are infinite.
How many presidents have there been up to the present day, and who is the most recent?
Why is Barack Obama #44 on a list of US Presidents?
You're going to need to narrow down the context.
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
add a comment |
Who is the 44th President of the United States?
Otherwise, the possibilities are infinite.
How many presidents have there been up to the present day, and who is the most recent?
Why is Barack Obama #44 on a list of US Presidents?
You're going to need to narrow down the context.
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
Who is the 44th President of the United States?
Otherwise, the possibilities are infinite.
How many presidents have there been up to the present day, and who is the most recent?
Why is Barack Obama #44 on a list of US Presidents?
You're going to need to narrow down the context.
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
answered Mar 17 '14 at 15:36
David MDavid M
14.3k64995
14.3k64995
add a comment |
add a comment |
The answer nobody gave is because they assume the answer must be given as a sentence. You will want to ask a question that fills in the blank.
The question is usually posed in tests as:
Foo is the ____(st/nd/rd/th) bar.
Either you want the ordinal or you want what the ordinal counts. You can't (effectively) ask for both things without some context. There are many answers to 5 is __. There's only one answer for 5 is the _(st/nd/rd/th) prime number
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
add a comment |
The answer nobody gave is because they assume the answer must be given as a sentence. You will want to ask a question that fills in the blank.
The question is usually posed in tests as:
Foo is the ____(st/nd/rd/th) bar.
Either you want the ordinal or you want what the ordinal counts. You can't (effectively) ask for both things without some context. There are many answers to 5 is __. There's only one answer for 5 is the _(st/nd/rd/th) prime number
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
add a comment |
The answer nobody gave is because they assume the answer must be given as a sentence. You will want to ask a question that fills in the blank.
The question is usually posed in tests as:
Foo is the ____(st/nd/rd/th) bar.
Either you want the ordinal or you want what the ordinal counts. You can't (effectively) ask for both things without some context. There are many answers to 5 is __. There's only one answer for 5 is the _(st/nd/rd/th) prime number
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
The answer nobody gave is because they assume the answer must be given as a sentence. You will want to ask a question that fills in the blank.
The question is usually posed in tests as:
Foo is the ____(st/nd/rd/th) bar.
Either you want the ordinal or you want what the ordinal counts. You can't (effectively) ask for both things without some context. There are many answers to 5 is __. There's only one answer for 5 is the _(st/nd/rd/th) prime number
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
edited Sep 3 '14 at 17:57
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
answered Aug 23 '14 at 11:46
SrJovenSrJoven
3,7561232
3,7561232
add a comment |
add a comment |
The prime number (N) is equal to the sum total of all prime numbers < N. Which prime number is N in the ordinal ranking of primes?
That's if you want to be a bit mean and confusing.
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
add a comment |
The prime number (N) is equal to the sum total of all prime numbers < N. Which prime number is N in the ordinal ranking of primes?
That's if you want to be a bit mean and confusing.
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
add a comment |
The prime number (N) is equal to the sum total of all prime numbers < N. Which prime number is N in the ordinal ranking of primes?
That's if you want to be a bit mean and confusing.
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
The prime number (N) is equal to the sum total of all prime numbers < N. Which prime number is N in the ordinal ranking of primes?
That's if you want to be a bit mean and confusing.
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
edited Nov 14 '15 at 8:13
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
answered Nov 14 '15 at 7:57
MisneacMisneac
718411
718411
add a comment |
add a comment |
protected by RegDwigнt♦ Aug 25 '14 at 14:19
Thank you for your interest in this question.
Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).
Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?
3
We need a [jeopardy] tag...
– Adam
Mar 7 '11 at 20:00
6
An eternal question about English. :-) We all heard this growing up. (There are expressions in our native languages, equivalent to "how many'th" but grammatical, so this was a natural question to ask.)
– ShreevatsaR
Mar 8 '11 at 9:32
1
If George Washington was the first president, which number is Barack Obama? ... and maybe include instructions on whether to count Grover Cleveland once or twice.
– GEdgar
Mar 17 '14 at 15:24
Umm..I'm afraid I'm not looking at it this way. What if the statement is GW was the 1st president of the United States of America, with emphasis on first?
– codegasm
Mar 17 '14 at 15:27
3
English doesn't have a special question word, nor even a good construction, to ask questions specifically about ordinal numbers (first, second, ..., forty-fourth, ...), the way How many? asks about cardinal numbers. If we had a productive morphology, we could ask "*How manyth President is Barack Obama?" But we don't.
– John Lawler
Mar 17 '14 at 15:38