IndianTechnoEra: Understanding Tens and Ones

Understanding Tens and Ones

We already know how to count numbers. As numbers become bigger, it becomes useful to understand how they are made.

A two-digit number is made using tens and ones. Understanding tens and ones helps us read, write, compare and order two-digit numbers.

Learning Objectives

• Understand what tens and ones mean.
• Identify the tens and ones in a two-digit number.
• Understand the position of digits in a number.
• Find the value of each digit.
• Represent numbers using tens and ones.

What Are Tens and Ones?

When we have a group of 10 objects, we can call it one ten.

Objects that are not grouped into tens are counted as ones.

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

10 objects = 1 ten

So, one ten contains ten ones.

1 ten = 10 ones

The Tens Place and Ones Place

In a two-digit number, the digit on the left is in the tens place, while the digit on the right is in the ones place.

24

2 is in the tens place.
4 is in the ones place.

Therefore:

24 = 2 tens + 4 ones

Understanding the Tens Place

The tens place tells us how many groups of ten are in a number.

30

3 tens and 0 ones

30 = 3 tens

Similarly, 50 means five groups of ten.

50 = 5 tens = 50 ones

Understanding the Ones Place

The ones place tells us how many individual objects remain after making groups of ten.

27

2 tens and 7 ones

27 = 20 + 7

Examples

14

1 ten + 4 ones

14 = 10 + 4

25

2 tens + 5 ones

25 = 20 + 5

40

4 tens + 0 ones

40 = 40 + 0

Why Place Matters

The position of a digit changes its value.

25

2 means 2 tens = 20
5 means 5 ones = 5

If the digits change places, the number also changes.

25 ≠ 52

In 25, 2 is tens and 5 is ones.
In 52, 5 is tens and 2 is ones.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing the tens place with the ones place.
• Reading the digits without considering their positions.
• Thinking that 25 means 2 + 5 instead of 20 + 5.
• Forgetting that 0 can appear in the ones place.

Practice

1. How many tens and ones are in 16?

2. How many tens and ones are in 23?

3. How many tens and ones are in 40?

4. What is the value of 3 in 35?

5. What is the value of 7 in 27?

Try It Yourself

Take small objects such as pencils, blocks or buttons. Make groups of ten and count the remaining objects.

For example, make a group of 10 objects and add 4 more objects.

1 ten + 4 ones = 14

Quick Revision

• 10 ones make 1 ten.
• The left digit of a two-digit number is in the tens place.
• The right digit is in the ones place.
• 25 means 2 tens and 5 ones.
• The position of a digit determines its value.

What Comes Next?

Now that you understand tens and ones, you are ready to use them to build and represent two-digit numbers.