Year 1 Handbook
Place value: tens and ones
Understand what each digit tells us in a two-digit number.
What you are learning
Understand what each digit tells us in a two-digit number.
Key idea
The position of a digit tells us its value. In 34, the 3 means three tens and the 4 means four ones.
tens330
ones44
34Worked example
Build 34
34 = 30 + 4
- Look at the tens digit: 3 means three tens, which is 30.
- Look at the ones digit: 4 means four ones, which is 4.
- Put the parts together: 30 + 4 = 34.
Therefore, 34 is three tens and four ones.
Another way
Use a number line
Start at 0, jump three tens to 30, then four ones to 34.
Why this works
Ten ones can be regrouped as one ten, so a two-digit number can be described by its tens and its leftover ones.
Common mistake
Remember
Check the place before naming the value: tens first, then ones.
Vocabulary
- digit
- One of the symbols 0 to 9 used to write a number.
- place value
- The value a digit has because of where it is in a number.
- tens
- Groups of ten.
- ones
- Single units.
Try one
Have a go before revealing the answer. These are optional learning checks: they are not scored and do not change your practice record.
How many tens are in 47?
What is the value of the 6 in 26?