What is a Number? - Numberphile?

A number is like a special label we use to count or measure things around us.

Imagine you have 3 apples on your plate. The number "3" tells you exactly how many apples are there, no more, no less. Numbers help us understand the world by letting us know how much or how many something is.

When we count, we use numbers like 1, 2, 3, and so on. These are called whole numbers. They’re just like steps on a staircase, each step is one more than the last. If you're counting toys or cookies, whole numbers help you keep track.

Numbers can also tell us about size or distance. Imagine you're measuring how long your bed is. You might use a ruler and find out it's 5 feet long, that’s a number telling you the length. Or if you’re jumping, you could count how many jumps you make before reaching the end of the room.

Numbers are like friends who help us know how much or how many we have, whether it's apples, toys, or even how far we can jump!