Successor and Predecessor in mathematics are terms primarily used in understanding the sequence of whole numbers. The predecessor is the number directly before a given number while the successor is the number immediately following it. Thus we can say for a number ‘n’, the number just before it is called Predecessor and Successor is the number just after ‘n’.

The concept of predecessor and successor is widely used in sequences of Whole Numbers. In this article, we will learn about Predecessor Definition, Successor Definition, Examples of Successors and Predecessor, and others in detail.

Successor and Predecessor Meaning

Successor and Predecessor are the numbers just after and before a particular number, respectively. The concept of predecessor and successor can be best understood with the help of a number line.

• On a number line, a successor refers to the number immediately to the right of a given number when moving along the line
• On the number line with 0 as the starting point, moving to the right, 1 is the successor of 0, and moving further, 2 becomes the successor of 1.
• A predecessor is the number immediately to the left.
• Similarly, moving to the left from 1, 0 is the predecessor of 1, and moving further, -1 becomes the predecessor of 0.
• This relationship can be visualized on a number line, where each number has a successor to its right and a predecessor to its left, aiding in understanding the sequential arrangement of numbers.

Learn More,

• Number Line
• Whole Numbers

What is Successor?

Successor denotes the value succeeding a specific number or term. If ‘n’ represents any whole number, its successor is ‘n+1’. Alternative terms for a successor include following, directly subsequent to, and immediate next value/number. Let’s learn the definition of successor.

Successor Definition

Successor of a given number is defined as the number that comes immediately after it in a sequence, especially in the context of the natural numbers.

Examples of Successor

When n is assigned the value 5 the subsequent number after 5 known as the successor is found by adding 1 to 5 resulting in 6.

In another instance when n equals 10 the successor of 10 is determined by adding 1 to 10 yielding 11.

• Similarly, for n = 20 the successor is calculated as 20 + 1 producing 21.
• The pattern continues as for n = 50 and n = 100 where the successors are computed as 51 and 101 respectively.

Consequently, based on these instances it can be inferred that the successor of any given whole number is obtained by adding one to the original number.

What is Predecessor?

As mentioned earlier, a predecessor refers to the value that directly precedes or comes immediately before a specific value. If a value is represented as ‘x’ (where ‘x’ is any whole number), then the predecessor of ‘x’ is calculated as ‘x – 1’. Hence, determining the predecessor of any given value involves subtracting 1 from the given value.

Predecessor Definition

Predecessor of a number refers to the number that comes immediately before it in a sequence. In the context of the natural numbers, the predecessor of a number n is n−1.

Examples of Predecessor

If a variable ‘x’ equals 5 the number just before it known as its predecessor is obtained by subtracting 1 from 5, resulting in 4.

• When ‘x’ is set to 10, its predecessor is determined by subtracting 1 from 10 yielding 9.
• Similarly, for ‘x’ values such as 20, 50, and 100, their respective predecessors are 19, 49, and 99, achieved by subtracting 1 from these numbers.

Therefore, the predecessor of any integer can be found by reducing the number by 1.

How to Find Successors and Predecessors?

We can find the successor and predecessor of a number by the following Method:

Finding Successor

To determine the successor of a given integer ‘n’, add 1 to that number.

• For instance, if ‘n’ is 5, the successor would be 5+1=6.

Finding Predecessor

To find the predecessor of a given integer ‘n’, subtract 1 from that number.

• For example, if ‘n’ is 10, the predecessor would be 10−1 = 9.

These operations work for positive integers in a number line, providing the next or previous number in the sequence.

Successor and Predecessor of Integers

Understanding successors and predecessors in integers is fundamental in mathematics.

Successor: The successor of any given integer is the immediate number that comes after it in the number line. For instance, if we take the integer 5, its successor is 6. This relationship can be expressed as n+1, where ‘n’ represents the given integer. In the context of positive integers, the successor is always one more than the given number.

Predecessor: Conversely, the predecessor of an integer is the number that comes immediately before it on the number line. For example, if we consider the integer 10, its predecessor is 9, denoted as n−1. In the realm of positive integers, the predecessor is always one less than the given number.

Here’s a simple example,

For the integer 20, the successor is 21, and the predecessor is 19.

Understanding the successor and predecessor helps in comprehending number sequencing and their positions in the numerical continuum. These concepts are essential in various mathematical operations and sequences.

Difference Between Successor and Predecessor

The difference between Successor and Predecessor is tabulated below:

Also, Check

• Number System
• Arithmetic Operations
• Properties of Real Numbers

Solved Examples on Successor and Predecessor

Example 1: Find the successor and predecessor of 45?

Solution:

Successor of 45: 45 + 1 = 46

Predecessor of 45: 45 – 1 = 44

Hence, the successor of 45 is 46, and the predecessor is 44.

Example 2: Determine the successor and predecessor of 83?

Solution:

Successor of 83: 83 + 1 = 84

Predecessor of 83: 83 – 1 = 82

Therefore, the successor of 83 is 84, and the predecessor is 82.

Example 3: Calculate the successor and predecessor of 100?

Solution:

Successor of 100: 100 + 1 = 101

Predecessor of 100: 100 – 1 = 99

So, the successor of 100 is 101, and the predecessor is 99.

Example 4: For the number 25, determine its successor and predecessor?

Solution:

Successor of 25: 25 + 1 = 26

Predecessor of 25: 25 – 1 = 24

Thus, the successor of 25 is 26, and the predecessor is 24.

Example 5: Identify the successor and predecessor of 6?

Solution:

Successor of 60: 60 + 1 = 61

Predecessor of 60: 60 – 1 = 59

Hence, the successor of 60 is 61, and the predecessor is 59.

Practice Questions on Predecessor and Successor

Q1: Find the successor and predecessor of 78?

Q2: Determine the successor and predecessor of 95?

Q3: Calculate the successor and predecessor of 120?

Q4: For the number 56, identify its successor and predecessor?

Q5: Identify the successor and predecessor of 88?

FAQs on Predecessor and Successor

1. What is a Predecessor in mathematics?

A predecessor refers to the number that comes immediately before a given number when counting in a sequence. For example, the predecessor of 7 is 6 because it comes just before 7 when counting forward.

2. What is a Successor in mathematics?

A successor is the number that comes immediately after a given number when counting in a sequence. For instance, the successor of 9 is 10 because it follows 9 when counting forward.

3. How do you find the Successor of a Number?

To find the successor of a number, add 1 to the given number. For instance, if the number is ‘n’, then the successor of ‘n’ is ‘n + 1’.

4. What is the Predecessor of Zero?

Considering Zero as whole number then zero does not have a predecessor as it is the smallest whole number and there is no number before it in the set of whole numbers. while if consider zero as integer then -1 is the predecessor of zero

5. Can Fractions and Decimals have Successors or Predecessors?

Fractions and decimals do not have successors or predecessors in the same way whole numbers do. Successors and predecessors are concepts related to whole numbers and integers.

6. Are Successor and Predecessor always One unit apart?

Yes, in the case of whole numbers the successor of a number is always one unit greater than the original number and the predecessor is one unit lesser. This relationship doesn’t apply to other number systems like fractions or decimals.