Question

What is the predecessor of \[ - 9871\]?

Answer 1

Hint:
Here, we will find the predecessor of the given number. A predecessor is a number that comes before a term or a number that precedes the given term.

Complete step by step solution:
We know that the predecessor is defined as the number that is before a number and successor is defined as a number that is after a number. The predecessor of a number can be found by mere counting for the smaller number. However, for larger numbers 1 has to be subtracted from the given number to find the predecessor of the given number. Similarly, the successor of a number can be found by mere counting for the smaller number. However, for larger numbers 1 has to be added to the given number to find the successor of the given number.
We are given with a number \[ - 9871\].
Now, we will find the predecessor for the given number.
A predecessor of a number is given by the formula \[ = n - 1\] where \[n\] is the given number.
Since the given number is negative this cannot be applied to the negative numbers.
Thus, the above formula cannot be used.

Therefore, the number \[ - 9871\] has no predecessor.

Note:
The predecessors and successors can also be found from the number line too. We should know that the concept of predecessors and successors are not applicable to fractions, decimals and negative integers. Thus, the concept of predecessors and successors is applicable to whole numbers. Every whole number has predecessors and successors. The whole number zero alone has no predecessor.