Numbers are everywhere around us, from counting objects to solving advanced calculations. But have you ever thought about how numbers started and how people counted things thousands of years ago? CBSE Board Class 8 Maths Ganita Prakash Part 1 Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers introduces students to the journey of numbers and the development of different number systems.
This chapter explains how early humans counted using objects, marks, and symbols before modern numbers were created. Students learn about important concepts like one-to-one correspondence, ancient counting methods, Roman numerals, Egyptian numerals, base systems, place value, and the role of zero in mathematics.
Practicing Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers Class 8 Maths Ganita Prakash Part 1 MCQs helps students revise the chapter, understand key concepts, and improve their accuracy for CBSE exams. These MCQs are prepared according to the latest NCERT textbook concepts to make learning easier through quick practice and self-assessment.
For better preparation, students can also explore chapter-wise Class 8 Maths MCQs to practice different Maths concepts and improve their problem-solving skills. Along with Mathematics, students can try more Class 8 MCQs for other subjects to strengthen their overall exam preparation.
A Story of Numbers Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 MCQs with Answers
Practice these Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers Class 8 Maths MCQs to revise important concepts like number systems, place value, and zero. These questions are based on the latest CBSE Board and NCERT Ganita Prakash syllabus to help students prepare effectively.
Q1. Why did humans develop different ways of representing numbers?
A. To make numbers difficult to understand
B. To create only large calculations
C. To count and record quantities easily
D. To remove the need for counting
Answer: C. To count and record quantities easily
Explanation:
Humans created number systems to count objects, keep records, and represent quantities in a simple way.
Q2. Which of the following was one of the earliest ways used for counting?
A. Algebraic formulas
B. Tally marks and physical objects
C. Scientific calculators
D. Decimal operations
Answer: B. Tally marks and physical objects
Explanation:
Early humans used things like stones, sticks, and tally marks to count and keep track of objects.
Q3. When each object in one collection is matched with one object in another collection, it is known as:
A. One-to-one correspondence
B. Number expansion
C. Place value method
D. Number comparison
Answer: A. One-to-one correspondence
Explanation:
One-to-one correspondence is a method where every object is paired with exactly one object from another group.
Q4. Roman numerals represent numbers with the help of:
A. Mathematical operators
B. Special diagrams
C. Alphabet symbols
D. Decimal points
Answer: C. Alphabet symbols
Explanation:
The Roman number system uses letters like I, V, X, L, C, D, and M to show different values.
Q5. Which number is represented by the Roman numeral L?
A. 100
B. 50
C. 10
D. 500
Answer: B. 50
Explanation:
In Roman numerals, L represents 50, while X represents 10 and C represents 100.
Q6. Which number system developed the use of zero and digits 0 to 9?
A. Roman number system
B. Egyptian number system
C. Tally mark system
D. Hindu number system
Answer: D. Hindu number system
Explanation:
The Hindu number system introduced the use of digits from 0 to 9, including zero, which made mathematical calculations easier.
Q7. What does the place value system help us understand?
A. The value of a digit according to its position
B. Only the total number of digits
C. The colour of number symbols
D. Only Roman numerals
Answer: A. The value of a digit according to its position
Explanation:
In the place value system, the value of a digit changes depending on where it appears in a number.
Q8. The base of a number system describes:
A. The shape of numbers
B. The grouping pattern used to represent numbers
C. The size of a notebook
D. The writing style of digits
Answer: B. The grouping pattern used to represent numbers
Explanation:
The base of a number system shows how numbers are grouped and represented using symbols.
Q9. The commonly used Hindu number system works mainly on which base?
A. Base 20
B. Base 2
C. Base 10
D. Base 5
Answer: C. Base 10
Explanation:
The modern Hindu number system follows the base-10 system, where each place value is based on powers of 10.
Q10. Which two features make the modern number system simple and powerful?
A. More symbols and longer numbers
B. Place value and zero
C. Repeated tally marks only
D. Roman symbols only
Answer: B. Place value and zero
Explanation:
The combination of place value and zero allows us to represent very small and very large numbers efficiently.
Q11. In Roman numerals, the number 28 can be written as:
A. XXVIII
B. XVIII
C. XXXVIII
D. XXIV
Answer: A. XXVIII
Explanation:
28 = 10 + 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 + 1, so it is represented as XXVIII in Roman numerals.
Q12. If a number system groups objects in sets of 10, it follows the idea of:
A. Random counting
B. Base system
C. Shape measurement
D. Fraction system
Answer: B. Base system
Explanation:
A base system groups numbers using a fixed value. The decimal system groups numbers using 10.
Q13. Why were Roman numerals less convenient for calculations?
A. They used only zero
B. They were never written
C. Arithmetic operations were difficult to perform
D. They had only one symbol
Answer: C. Arithmetic operations were difficult to perform
Explanation:
Roman numerals could represent numbers, but calculations like multiplication and division were not easy.
Q14. Which ancient method used marks on bones, walls, or other surfaces for counting?
A. Tally mark method
B. Algebra method
C. Decimal method
D. Geometry method
Answer: A. Tally mark method
Explanation:
Tally marks were among the earliest ways of recording numbers by making marks on different surfaces.
Q15. The development of number systems mainly shows:
A. How humans improved ways of counting and representing quantities
B. How humans stopped using mathematics
C. How all ancient systems were exactly the same
D. How numbers became unnecessary
Answer: A. How humans improved ways of counting and representing quantities
Explanation:
The evolution of number systems shows how people created better methods to count, record, and calculate numbers.
Q16. Which method helped early humans compare two groups without knowing exact numbers?
A. Multiplication method
B. One-to-one correspondence
C. Decimal calculation
D. Algebraic method
Answer: B. One-to-one correspondence
Explanation:
One-to-one correspondence allowed people to compare groups by matching each object of one group with one object of another group.
Q17. Which of the following is an example of a base-10 system?
A. A system where numbers are grouped in tens
B. A system using only two symbols
C. A system without place values
D. A system using only letters
Answer: A. A system where numbers are grouped in tens
Explanation:
In a base-10 system, numbers are represented using groups based on powers of 10.
Q18. What happens to the value of a digit in a place value system?
A. It always remains unchanged
B. It depends on its position in the number
C. It becomes zero every time
D. It depends on the colour of the digit
Answer: B. It depends on its position in the number
Explanation:
The place of a digit decides its actual value. For example, 5 has different values in 50 and 500.
Q19. Which of these is NOT a Roman numeral symbol?
A. X
B. V
C. L
D. P
Answer: D. P
Explanation:
Roman numerals use symbols like I, V, X, L, C, D, and M. The letter P is not used as a Roman numeral.
Q20. Why was the invention of zero an important step in mathematics?
A. It made writing and calculating numbers easier
B. It replaced all other digits
C. It removed the need for counting
D. It made numbers longer only
Answer: A. It made writing and calculating numbers easier
Explanation:
Zero works as both a number and a placeholder, making the place value system more effective.
Q21. Which Roman numeral represents the number 40?
A. XXXX
B. XL
C. LX
D. XV
Answer: B. XL
Explanation:
In Roman numerals, placing X before L means 50 - 10, so XL represents 40.
Q22. The Hindu number system became widely accepted because it:
A. Used unlimited symbols
B. Made calculations simple with place value and zero
C. Avoided the use of digits
D. Used only pictures
Answer: B. Made calculations simple with place value and zero
Explanation:
The Hindu number system was efficient because fewer symbols could represent many numbers using place value.
Q23. Which statement correctly describes tally marks?
A. They are used to record quantities by making repeated marks
B. They are used only for measuring length
C. They are modern computer codes
D. They are used only in geometry
Answer: A. They are used to record quantities by making repeated marks
Explanation:
Tally marks are simple counting marks used to keep track of numbers or objects.
Q24. Which number system is also known as the decimal number system?
A. Base-10 system
B. Base-2 system
C. Roman system
D. Symbol system
Answer: A. Base-10 system
Explanation:
The decimal number system is based on groups of 10 and uses digits from 0 to 9.
Q25. What is the value of digit 7 in the number 735?
A. 7
B. 70
C. 700
D. 735
Answer: C. 700
Explanation:
In 735, the digit 7 is in the hundreds place, so its place value is 700.
Q26. Ancient civilizations created number systems mainly to:
A. Solve daily counting and recording needs
B. Remove mathematical ideas
C. Replace communication completely
D. Avoid calculations
Answer: A. Solve daily counting and recording needs
Explanation:
Number systems developed because people needed ways to count, trade, measure, and record information.
Q27. Which feature is missing in the Roman number system?
A. Symbols
B. Counting method
C. Zero and place value system
D. Number representation
Answer: C. Zero and place value system
Explanation:
Roman numerals do not use zero or a positional place value system like the modern number system.
Q28. A number system using only two digits, 0 and 1, is called:
A. Decimal system
B. Binary system
C. Roman system
D. Egyptian system
Answer: B. Binary system
Explanation:
The binary number system uses base-2 and represents numbers using only two digits, 0 and 1.
Q29. What does the evolution of numbers teach us?
A. Mathematics developed through human ideas and needs
B. Numbers were created without any purpose
C. Ancient people never used counting
D. All number systems were identical
Answer: A. Mathematics developed through human ideas and needs
Explanation:
The story of numbers shows how humans improved counting methods over time to solve practical problems.
Q30. Which combination represents the main strength of our present number system?
A. Many symbols and no rules
B. Zero, digits, and place value
C. Only Roman letters
D. Counting with objects only
Answer: B. Zero, digits, and place value
Explanation:
The modern number system is powerful because digits, zero, and place value allow easy representation and calculation of numbers.
Important Topics Covered in Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers MCQs
The Class 8 Maths Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers MCQs cover important concepts from the CBSE Class 8 Maths Ganita Prakash Part 1 textbook. These questions help students revise the complete chapter in a simple way.
| Topic | What Students Learn |
| Early Counting Methods | How humans counted before numbers |
| One-to-One Correspondence | Matching objects for counting |
| Tally Marks | Early method of recording numbers |
| Roman Numerals | Representation of numbers using symbols |
| Egyptian Numerals | Ancient number writing methods |
| Base Systems | Different ways of arranging numbers |
| Place Value | Importance of digit positions |
| Zero | Role of zero in modern mathematics |
Revision Notes for Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers
- Humans developed numbers because they needed a way to count and record things.
- Early counting systems used physical objects and symbols.
- Different civilizations created different number systems.
- Roman numerals represent numbers using specific letters.
- A number base decides how numbers are grouped.
- The place value system helps represent very large numbers easily.
- Zero made modern mathematical calculations faster and simpler.
Benefits of Solving A Story of Numbers Class 8 Maths MCQs
Solving Chapter 3 A Story of Numbers Class 8 Maths Ganita Prakash Part 1 MCQs helps students:
- Revise important chapter concepts quickly
- Understand different number systems clearly
- Improve logical thinking ability
- Practice CBSE exam-style questions
- Identify important topics before tests
- Build confidence in Mathematics
Regular practice of Class 8 Maths MCQs also helps students improve speed and accuracy.
