Maths
Before, After and Between
Learning Objectives
- Find the number that comes just before a given number.
- Find the number that comes just after a given number.
- Find the number that comes between two given numbers.
- Use these ideas with numbers up to 100.
- Understand the number line and use it to find before, after, and between.
Let Us Begin!
Arjun is standing in a line at school. Ravi stands just before him and Meena stands just after him. Sita stands between Ravi and Arjun.
In the same way, numbers also stand in a line! Every number has a number just before it and a number just after it. And between two numbers, there is always one number hiding. Let us find them!
Just Before (1 Less)
The number just before is always 1 less than the given number. We subtract 1 to find it.
Step-by-step: To find the number just before 15:
15 − 1 = 14. So just before 15 is 14.
15 − 1 = 14. So just before 15 is 14.
More examples:
Just before 30 is 29 (30 − 1 = 29)
Just before 50 is 49 (50 − 1 = 49)
Just before 1 is 0 (1 − 1 = 0)
Just before 100 is 99 (100 − 1 = 99)
Just before 71 is 70 (71 − 1 = 70)
Just before 30 is 29 (30 − 1 = 29)
Just before 50 is 49 (50 − 1 = 49)
Just before 1 is 0 (1 − 1 = 0)
Just before 100 is 99 (100 − 1 = 99)
Just before 71 is 70 (71 − 1 = 70)
Ravi's house number is 45. The house just before his is number 44. Easy — just subtract 1!
Just After (1 More)
The number just after is always 1 more than the given number. We add 1 to find it.
Step-by-step: To find the number just after 22:
22 + 1 = 23. So just after 22 is 23.
22 + 1 = 23. So just after 22 is 23.
More examples:
Just after 39 is 40 (39 + 1 = 40)
Just after 47 is 48 (47 + 1 = 48)
Just after 99 is 100 (99 + 1 = 100)
Just after 59 is 60 (59 + 1 = 60)
Just after 84 is 85 (84 + 1 = 85)
Just after 39 is 40 (39 + 1 = 40)
Just after 47 is 48 (47 + 1 = 48)
Just after 99 is 100 (99 + 1 = 100)
Just after 59 is 60 (59 + 1 = 60)
Just after 84 is 85 (84 + 1 = 85)
Meena is page 67 in her book. The next page is 68. Just add 1!
Between (The Middle Number)
The number between two numbers comes in the middle. It is 1 more than the smaller number and 1 less than the bigger number.
Step-by-step: Find the number between 18 and 20:
18 + 1 = 19. Or: 20 − 1 = 19. So between 18 and 20 is 19.
18 + 1 = 19. Or: 20 − 1 = 19. So between 18 and 20 is 19.
More examples:
Between 34 and 36 is 35
Between 41 and 43 is 42
Between 69 and 71 is 70
Between 98 and 100 is 99
Between 55 and 57 is 56
Between 34 and 36 is 35
Between 41 and 43 is 42
Between 69 and 71 is 70
Between 98 and 100 is 99
Between 55 and 57 is 56
Think of it like a sandwich: the number in the middle is the filling! 🥪
Before, After, and Between — Summary Table
| Before | Number | After |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 |
| 49 | 50 | 51 |
| 66 | 67 | 68 |
| 79 | 80 | 81 |
| 99 | 100 | 101 |
Key Words
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Before | The number that comes just before — it is 1 less |
| After | The number that comes just after — it is 1 more |
| Between | The number that comes in the middle of two numbers |
| Number line | A line with numbers in order, used to find before/after/between |
| Successor | Another word for "just after" (the next number) |
| Predecessor | Another word for "just before" (the previous number) |
⭐ Key Points to Remember
- Just before = subtract 1 from the number.
- Just after = add 1 to the number.
- Between two numbers that differ by 2, there is exactly one number in the middle.
- Numbers always go in order: ..., 23, 24, 25, 26, ...
- The number line helps us see before, after, and between clearly.
- Predecessor = just before. Successor = just after.
Finished learning? Now test what you know!