Understanding Tens and Ones

When we count past $9$, we start using two-digit numbers. To make counting easier, we group things into tens and ones. This is the foundation of a math concept called place value.

What are Tens and Ones?

Imagine you have a big pile of small toy blocks.

• A one is just a single block.
• A ten is a stack of exactly $10$ single blocks glued together.

Instead of counting $34$ individual blocks one by one, we can group them to make counting much faster! The number $34$ is made up of $3$ stacks of ten and $4$ extra single blocks.

So, we say: $34$ means $3$ tens and $4$ ones.

How to Read a Two-Digit Number

In any two-digit number, each digit has a special spot:

• The first digit (on the left) tells you how many tens you have.
• The second digit (on the right) tells you how many extra ones you have.

Let's look at the number $85$:

• The $8$ is in the tens place. It means $8$ tens (which is $80$).
• The $5$ is in the ones place. It means $5$ ones.

Let's Practice Together!

Question 1: How many tens and ones are in $47$?

• Look at the left digit: It is a $4$, so there are $4$ tens.
• Look at the right digit: It is a $7$, so there are $7$ ones.
• Answer: $4$ tens and $7$ ones.

Question 2: What number has $6$ tens and $3$ ones?

• Put the tens digit on the left: $6$.
• Put the ones digit on the right: $3$.
• Answer: The number is $63$.