8 can be composed as 2 × 4 or 1 × 8. This is the multiplicative tarkib adadi. Understanding that a composite number like 12 can be composed of 3 × 4, 2 × 6, and 12 × 1 is the gateway to factoring and prime numbers.
If by "Tarkib Adadi" you meant breaking a number down into its prime factors (Factorization), here is the guide:
Definition: Expressing a composite number as a product of prime numbers.
Method (Factor Tree): Let's find the prime factorization of 12.
Result: The "Tarkib"
In Arabic grammar, Tarkib Adadi (تَرْكِيبٌ عَدَدِيٌّ) refers to a numerical compound or phrase consisting of a number (adad) and the thing being counted (ma'dud).
Specifically, it often denotes the compound numbers from 11 to 19. In these cases, the two parts of the number (the unit and the ten) are joined together to form a single grammatical unit that is mabni (indeclinable), meaning both parts typically end with a fatha regardless of their position in a sentence. Key Characteristics
Structure: It is a word arrangement involving a number (adad) and a noun (ma'dud). Examples: أَحَدَ عَشَرَ (ahada 'ashara): Eleven. tarkib adadi
خَمْسَةَ عَشَرَ رَجُلًا (khamsata 'ashara rajulan): Fifteen men.
Usage: It is one of several types of phrases (tarkib) in Arabic, alongside others like Tarkib Idhafi (possessive phrases) and Tarkib Washfi (adjective-noun phrases).
Vol 14, No 1 (2014): Volume 14, Nomor 1, April 2014 - Garuda
Tarkib Adadi (also known as Murakkab Adadi ) is a specific type of phrase in Arabic grammar where two or more numbers are combined to form a single numerical unit. In the broader study of
(sentence parsing or grammatical analysis), it falls under the category of Murakkab Naqis
(incomplete compounds), meaning it acts as a building block for a larger sentence rather than a complete statement on its own. 1. Definition and Core Concept Literal Meaning means "assembly" or "construction," and refers to "numerical".
: It is used to express compound numbers, most notably the numbers 11 through 19 Components 8 can be composed as 2 × 4 or 1 × 8
: A Tarkib Adadi consists of two parts joined together without a conjunction (like "and") to represent a single value. 2. Grammatical Rules (I'rab)
Unlike standard nouns that change their endings based on their role in a sentence, the components of Tarkib Adadi have specific behaviors: Mabni (Invariable)
: For numbers 11 and 13–19, both parts of the compound are fixed with a
(a short "a" sound) regardless of their position in the sentence (nominative, accusative, or genitive). Ahada 'ashara (Eleven) remains Ahada 'ashara even if it is the subject or the object. Exception (Number 12) : The first part of the number 12 ( ) follows the rules for dual nouns (changing to in accusative/genitive cases), while the second part ( ) remains fixed. 3. Usage with the Numbered Object (Ma'dud) In a sentence, Tarkib Adadi often appears alongside a (the item being counted): Diwan Pustaka Singular Accusative : The object being counted after numbers 11–19 must be and in the accusative case ), typically ending with a tanwin fathah Inni ra'aytu ahada 'ashara kawkaban ("I saw eleven stars"). Here, is the singular, accusative Ma'dud. 4. Comparison with Other Tarkibs
To understand where Tarkib Adadi fits in Arabic syntax, it is often compared to other "Murakkab" (compound) types: Tarkib Type Numerical compounds (11–19) Ahada 'ashara Possessive phrases Kitabu Allahi (Book of Allah) Adjective-noun phrases Al-baytul kabiru (The big house) Blended words (Proper names) Ba'labakka parse (Tarkib) a specific sentence containing these numbers?
| User writes | Corrected version (if needed) | Explanation | |-------------|-------------------------------|-------------| | “١٢ كتاب” | ✅ “١٢ كتابًا” | 12 → noun must be singular accusative (كتابًا) | | “٣ بنات” | ✅ “٣ بناتٍ” | 3–10 → noun plural genitive (بناتٍ) | | “٥٠ طالب” | ✅ “٥٠ طالبًا” | 20–99 → noun singular accusative (طالبًا) | | “١١ كراسة” | ❌ → “١١ كراسةً” | 11 → singular accusative noun |
The rules of Tarkib Adadi are remarkably systematic: Look at the 6
Noun Position and Number: The counted noun following a compound number from 11–19 is always singular and accusative (indefinite or definite depending on context). This contrasts with numbers 3–10 which require a plural genitive noun, and number 1-2 which follow adjectival agreement.
This is the "breaking down" process. Given a whole number, how many ways can we split it?
In Arabic grammar, Tarkib is a linguistic construction where two words merge syntactically to function as one. Tarkib Adadi specifically concerns the compound numbers from 11 to 19 (and the multiples of ten from 20-90 in certain rare constructs, though the primary focus is 11–19). These numbers are considered mabnī (indeclinable) rather than muʿrab (declinable).
The Core Compound Numbers (11–19):
Even with good instruction, students struggle with Tarkib Adadi. Here are the three most common errors:
| Error | Root Cause | Solution | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Starting from 1 always. (e.g., to find 7+5, they count 8,9,10,11,12) | Lack of composition fluency for 10. | Drill "Friends of 10" daily for 2 minutes. | | Inability to decompose teen numbers. (e.g., 15-4 is fine, but 15-9 fails) | They see 15 as a single entity, not 10+5. | Use a "Ten and Ones" mat. Physically break 15 into a ten-block and five units. | | Reversing the parts. (e.g., knowing 4+3=7, but not 3+4=7) | Rigid thinking; no commutativity. | Use concrete objects (apples). "4 apples plus 3 apples is 7. If I eat the 3 first, is it still 7?" |
In Arabic pedagogy, the term "Number Bonds" (روابط الأعداد) is synonymous with tarkib adadi. These are the pairs of numbers that add up to a given target number. Educators typically start with numbers 1 through 10. Let us review the critical compositions: