

Step-by-Step Solution for Calculating the Difference Between These Numbers
Understanding the Difference Between Smallest 6 Digit Number and Greatest 4 Digit Number is fundamental in number system topics for classes 8–12 and JEE. This comparison helps in recognizing patterns, place values, and the significance of digit grouping in bigger numerical calculations.
Meaning of the Smallest 6 Digit Number in Mathematics
The smallest 6 digit number refers to the least value that can be formed using six digits. In the decimal number system, the smallest such number is obtained when the leftmost digit is 1, with all others being 0.
$100000$
This number marks the beginning of the six-digit series, following directly after the largest five-digit number. For insights on types of numbers, refer to Difference Between Natural And Whole Numbers.
Understanding the Greatest 4 Digit Number
The greatest 4 digit number is the largest value possible using exactly four digits in the decimal system. It is achieved when every digit is at its maximum possible value of 9.
$9999$
This number comes immediately before the smallest five-digit number and is key when considering upper limits in four-digit computations.
Comparative View of Smallest 6 Digit Number and Greatest 4 Digit Number
| Smallest 6 Digit Number | Greatest 4 Digit Number |
|---|---|
| Smallest number with six digits is 100000 | Largest number with four digits is 9999 |
| Follows immediately after 99999 | Comes directly before 10000 |
| Written as 1 followed by five zeros | Written as four nines |
| Place value starts from lakh | Place value extends to thousands |
| Has only one nonzero digit at the lakh place | All four digits are nonzero |
| Minimum even and odd six-digit number is possible | Maximum even and odd four-digit number possible |
| Used to define lower boundary of six-digit numbers | Used to specify upper boundary for four-digit numbers |
| Formed by adding 1 to 99999 | Formed by subtracting 1 from 10000 |
| Magnitude is much greater than any four-digit number | Magnitude is always less than any six-digit number |
| Successor is 100001 | Successor becomes a five-digit number |
| Is always even | Can be even or odd, here is odd |
| Difference with 9999 is 90001 | Difference with 100000 is negative |
| Standard format in six-digit calculations | Reference for problems involving four digit limits |
| Useful in number system progression | Ends the range of four digits |
| Starting point for six-digit prime search | Ending point for four-digit prime numbers |
| Only one such number exists for six digits in decimal | Only one such number exists for four digits in decimal |
| Digit sum is 1 | Digit sum is 36 |
| All digits after first are zeros | No zeros, all digits are nine |
| Multiples fall in six-digit range | Multiples can become up to five digits |
| Important in positional notation concepts | Key in digit-wise analysis |
Core Distinctions
- Smallest 6 digit number is 100000; greatest 4 digit is 9999
- Smallest six-digit surpasses greatest four-digit by 90001 exactly
- All digits except first are zero in smallest six-digit number
- All digits are maximum (9) in greatest four-digit number
- Smallest six-digit has lakh as highest place value, four-digit has thousand
- Six-digit number starts a new digit range; four-digit number ends one
Illustrative Examples
If 100000 is reduced by 1, the result is 99999, a five-digit number. But if 9999 is increased by 1, the result is 10000, a five-digit number.
The difference between the two is calculated as:
$100000 - 9999 = 90001$
Applications in Mathematics
- Understanding number ranges and digit boundaries
- Used in place value and positional notation problems
- Essential for learning about number system transitions
- Helpful in competitive math for base conversions
- Applied in problems involving magnitude estimation
- Crucial for analyzing digit frequency in large numbers
Concise Comparison
In simple words, the smallest 6 digit number begins the lakh series, whereas the greatest 4 digit number is the highest possible before entering the five-digit range.
FAQs on How to Find the Difference Between the Smallest 6-Digit Number and the Greatest 4-Digit Number
1. What is the difference between the smallest 6-digit number and the greatest 4-digit number?
The difference between the smallest 6-digit number and the greatest 4-digit number is 90001.
- Smallest 6-digit number: 100000
- Greatest 4-digit number: 9999
- Difference = 100000 - 9999 = 90001
2. How do you find the difference between a 6-digit number and a 4-digit number?
To find the difference, subtract the smaller 4-digit number from the 6-digit number.
- Arrange the numbers with the larger (6-digit) number first.
- Subtract the 4-digit number from the 6-digit number.
- For example: 100000 - 9999 = 90001
3. What is the smallest 6-digit number?
The smallest 6-digit number is 100000.
This is because 6-digit numbers start from 100000 and increase by 1 from there. In the Indian number system, it is called one lakh.
4. What is the greatest 4-digit number?
The greatest 4-digit number is 9999.
Any number greater than 9999 will become a 5-digit number. This value is often used in place value questions and CBSE Maths problems.
5. Why is 100000 considered the smallest 6-digit number?
100000 is the smallest 6-digit number because there is no 6-digit number less than it.
- Numbers with 5 digits end at 99999.
- The next number, 100000, is the first with six digits.
6. How do you calculate the difference between two numbers with different digits?
To calculate the difference, always subtract the smaller number from the larger one, regardless of the number of digits.
- Write the numbers under each other aligning the place values.
- Subtract as usual using the column method.
- Example: 100000 - 9999 = 90001
7. What is the formula to find the difference between the smallest n-digit number and the greatest (n-2)-digit number?
The formula is: Smallest n-digit number - Greatest (n-2)-digit number.
- Smallest n-digit number = 10n-1
- Greatest (n-2)-digit number = (10n-2) - 1
- Difference = 10n-1 - [(10n-2) - 1]
8. What is meant by the place value of the digits in 100000 and 9999?
The place value refers to the value each digit holds based on its position in the number.
- In 100000, the '1' is in the lakh position (or hundred thousand).
- In 9999, the '9's represent thousands, hundreds, tens, and units.
9. How many numbers are there between the greatest 4-digit number and the smallest 6-digit number?
There are 90000 numbers between the greatest 4-digit number (9999) and the smallest 6-digit number (100000).
These numbers are the 5-digit numbers ranging from 10000 to 99999, illustrating the progression of digit count in the number system.
10. What is the significance of learning the difference between digit numbers in Maths?
Learning the difference between numbers of different digits develops concepts of place value and strengthens number system understanding.
- It aids in solving advanced arithmetic and reasoning questions.
- It is a foundational concept in the CBSE and other board Maths syllabi.
- This knowledge is essential for exams, logical reasoning, and daily calculations.
11. Find the difference between the smallest 6-digit number and the greatest 4-digit number. (CBSE format)
The required difference is 90001.
- Smallest 6-digit number = 100000
- Greatest 4-digit number = 9999
- Therefore, 100000 - 9999 = 90001





















