Counting to 1,000

Counting to $1,000$ is an exciting milestone! Once you know how to count to $100$, counting to $1,000$ follows the exact same pattern. You just need to pay attention to the hundreds, tens, and ones places.

Counting Forward and Backward

When you count forward, the numbers get larger by $1$ each time. Pay special attention when you cross over to a new hundred.

• Example: Let's count forward from $495$ to $502$.
• $495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500, 501, 502$

Notice how after $499$, the hundreds place goes up by one, and the tens and ones places reset to $00$ to make $500$.

When you count backward, the numbers get smaller by $1$.

• Example: Let's count backward from $803$.
• $803, 802, 801, 800, 799, 798$

Numbers Before and After

Knowing how to count helps you quickly find which number comes right before or right after another number.

• After: To find the number that comes after, just add $1$. For example, what comes after $999$? It is $1,000$!
• Before: To find the number that comes before, subtract $1$. What comes before $340$? It is $339$.

Finding Numbers on a Number Line

A number line is a straight line with numbers placed in order from smallest on the left to largest on the right. It helps us see exactly where a number belongs.

If you want to find $750$ on a number line that goes from $700$ to $800$:

1. Look at the starting number ($700$) and the ending number ($800$).
2. Because $750$ is exactly halfway between $700$ and $800$, you will find it right in the middle!

Understanding this order helps you compare three-digit numbers easily and see which numbers are larger or smaller.