Hundredth vs. Hundred: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Harlon Moss || Updated on March 4, 2024
Hundred refers to the numerical value of 100, while hundredth signifies the ordinal position, marking the 100th item in a sequence.
Key Differences
Hundred is a cardinal number representing a total or count of 100 units, indicating quantity. It is used in counting and quantification, such as in "A hundred books are on the shelf," signifying a collection of 100 books. On the other hand, hundredth is an ordinal number that denotes the position of an item in a sequence, specifically the 100th position. It is used when ranking or ordering elements within a series, such as in "This is the hundredth day of the year," highlighting the position of the day in the annual calendar.
Hundred is often used in contexts involving financial transactions, measurements, and statistical data, where the emphasis is on a specific quantity, e.g., "I saved a hundred dollars." This illustrates the use of hundred to denote a sum of money. Whereas hundredth is typically used in contexts requiring precision in order or rank, such as in achievements or milestones, e.g., "She finished in the hundredth place." This usage emphasizes the exact position among a series of ranks.
Hundred can be multiplied and divided, serving as a base unit in mathematical operations, indicating scalability and proportion, like in "Four hundred is four times a hundred." In contrast, hundredth, being an ordinal number, does not serve as a base unit for multiplication or division in the same way. Instead, it specifies a precise position within a series, such as "The hundredth part of a whole," indicating a fraction or a specific segment.
Comparison Chart
Type
Cardinal number
Ordinal number
Represents
Quantity of 100 units
100th position in a sequence
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Common Usage
Counting, quantification
Ranking, ordering
Example Usage
"I have a hundred apples."
"She is the hundredth runner."
Mathematical Operations
Used in multiplication and division
Used to denote fractions or specific segments
Hundredth and Hundred Definitions
Hundredth
A symbol or figure representing 100 units.
Please write down the number 100.
Hundred
A fraction, one part in a hundred.
She owns a hundredth of the company.
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Hundredth
A group or collection consisting of 100 items.
A hundred people attended the seminar.
Hundred
Signifying an anniversary or milestone.
They celebrated their hundredth anniversary.
Hundredth
A numerical value equal to 100.
He owns a hundred pairs of shoes.
Hundred
A position or rank denoting the 100th place.
He was the hundredth finisher in the race.
Hundredth
Used to describe a score or quantity of 100.
She scored a hundred on her math test.
Hundred
Used to denote a very small part of a whole.
A hundredth of a second faster and he would have won.
Hundredth
A base unit in certain systems, like currency or percentages.
One hundred percent of the participants agreed.
Hundred
The cardinal number equal to 10 × 10 or 102.
Hundredth
The ordinal number matching the number 100 in a series.
Hundred
The number in the third position left of the decimal point in an Arabic numeral.
Hundredth
One of 100 equal parts.
Hundred
A one-hundred-dollar bill.
Hundredth
The ordinal form of the number one hundred.
Hundred
Hundreds The numbers between 100 and 999
An attendance figure estimated in the hundreds.
Hundredth
The person or thing in the hundredth position.
Hundred
An administrative division of some counties in England and the United States.
Hundredth
One of a hundred equal parts of a whole.
Hundred
A numerical value equal to 100 (102), occurring after ninety-nine.
Hundreds of places, hundreds of thousands of faces
A hundred, one hundred
Nineteen hundred, one thousand nine hundred
Hundredth
Coming last of a hundred successive individuals or units.
Hundred
(24-hour clock) The pronunciation of “00” for the two digits denoting the minutes.
Hundredth
Forming one of a hundred equal parts into which anything is divided; the tenth of a tenth.
Hundred
A hundred-dollar bill, or any other note denominated 100 (e.g. a hundred euros).
Hundredth
One of a hundred equal parts into which one whole is, or may be, divided; the quotient of a unit divided by a hundred.
Hundred
(historical) An administrative subdivision of southern English counties formerly reckoned as comprising 100 hides (households or families) and notionally equal to 12,000 acres.
Hundredth
Position 100 in a countable series of things
Hundred
Similar divisions in other areas, particularly in other areas of Britain or the British Empire
Hundredth
One part in a hundred
Hundred
(cricket) A score of one hundred runs or more scored by a batsman.
He made a hundred in the historic match.
Hundredth
The ordinal number of one hundred in counting order
Hundred
The product of ten multiplied by ten, or the number of ten times ten; a collection or sum, consisting of ten times ten units or objects; five score. Also, a symbol representing one hundred units, as 100 or C.
With many hundreds treading on his heels.
Hundred
A division of a country in England, supposed to have originally contained a hundred families, or freemen.
Hundred
Ten times ten; five score; as, a hundred dollars.
Hundred
Ten 10s
Hundred
Being ten more than ninety
Hundred
The ordinal number following the ninety-ninth.
Today is the hundredth day of school.
FAQs
Can hundred be used in mathematical operations?
Yes, hundred can be used in mathematical operations like multiplication and division.
What is the main difference between hundred and hundredth?
Hundred is a cardinal number indicating a quantity of 100, while hundredth is an ordinal number denoting the 100th position in a sequence.
Is hundred always used for counting objects?
Yes, hundred is typically used for counting objects, money, or indicating quantities.
Is hundredth applicable in financial contexts?
Hundredth is less common in financial contexts, except when referring to fractions or percentages.
Can hundredth indicate a specific part of a series?
Yes, hundredth indicates a specific part or position within a series.
Can "hundred" and "hundredth" be used to describe time?
Hundred can refer to quantities of time (like 100 years), while hundredth often specifies a precise moment or fraction in time measurements (like a hundredth of a second).
Can hundredth be used to describe quantity?
No, hundredth is used to describe position or order, not quantity.
How is hundredth commonly used in everyday language?
Hundredth is used to specify a position, rank, or a very small part of a whole.
Is "hundredth" always related to the number 100?
Yes, "hundredth" specifically denotes a position or fraction directly associated with the number 100.
Can hundred and hundredth be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different purposes: hundred for quantity and hundredth for position.
Do "hundred" and "hundredth" have synonyms?
"Hundred" synonyms include "century" (in some contexts), while "hundredth" might be synonymously referred to as "one percent" in certain contexts.
Can "hundredth" be used in technology and computing?
Yes, "hundredth" can be used in technology and computing, especially in time measurements and precision calculations, such as processing speeds or delays measured to the hundredth of a second.
How do hundred and hundredth differ in writing and speech?
Hundred is written and spoken as a cardinal number, while hundredth is used as an ordinal number.
Are there any specific contexts where hundredth is preferred over hundred?
Hundredth is preferred in contexts requiring precision about position or rank.
What does it mean when someone says "a hundredth of a percent"?
It refers to one part out of 10,000, emphasizing a very small percentage or fraction.
How does "hundredth" relate to percentages?
"Hundredth" relates to percentages as one percent is equal to one hundredth of a whole.
How are "hundred" and "hundredth" used in education?
In education, "hundred" may refer to quantities or numbers being taught or used in examples, while "hundredth" could be used to teach fractions, percentages, or ordinal numbers.
Can "hundred" be used in legal documents?
Yes, "hundred" can be used in legal documents to specify quantities in a clear and unambiguous manner.
In sports, how is "hundredth" used?
In sports, "hundredth" is often used to measure time or positions, such as a hundredth of a second in races, emphasizing the fine margins between competitors.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
