1 · Tens and ones
We count in groups of ten. One little cube is a one. Ten cubes in a row make a ten.
2 tens and 3 ones make 23. The first digit tells the tens, the second tells the ones.
2 · Reading a number from blocks
Count the tens first, then the ones. 4 tens and 6 ones: 46.
The chart shows where each digit lives: 4 in the tens place, 6 in the ones place.
3 · Before, after, between
The number just before 62 is 61. The number just after 62 is 63. The number between 61 and 63 is 62.
A number line shows the order. Move left for smaller, right for bigger.
4 · Which is bigger?
Compare the tens first. 87 or 69? 8 tens beats 6 tens, so 87 is greater. We write 87 > 69.
If the tens tie, compare the ones. 54 or 58? Same tens, and 8 beats 4, so 58 is greater.
5 · Putting numbers in order
Least to greatest means smallest first. 93, 51, 33 becomes 33, 51, 93. Check the tens: 3, then 5, then 9.
Greatest to least is the other way around: 93, 51, 33.
6 · Even and odd
Put the dots in pairs. If every dot has a partner, the number is even. If one is left alone, it is odd.
Even numbers end in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. Odd numbers end in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9. So 32 is even and 17 is odd.
7 · Skip counting
Count by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. By 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20. By 10s: 10, 20, 30, 40.
Skip counting is fast counting. It helps with money, time, and equal groups later.
8 · Hundreds
Ten tens make a hundred. It is a big flat square of 100 little cubes.
1 hundred, 2 tens, and 4 ones is 124. Now there are three places: hundreds, tens, ones.
9 · Reading three-digit numbers
352 is 3 hundreds, 5 tens, 2 ones. Stretched out: 300 + 50 + 2.
The 5 is worth 50, because it sits in the tens place.
10 · Ten more, ten less
10 more than 47 is 57: the tens digit goes up by 1. 10 less is 37.
1 more than 47 is 48, and 1 less is 46: only the ones digit changes.
11 · Number words
Tens have names: twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty, seventy, eighty, ninety. Then add the ones: seventy-four is 74.
Watch the tricky ones: fourteen is 14, but forty is 40.
12 · First, second, third...
Position words tell where in a line: first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth.
6 kids stand in a line. The kid 2 places behind the first is in third place. Count: first, then one behind is second, two behind is third. You are ready for the test! 🎉
Ready to check what stuck?
Take the free 24-question test. It starts easy and builds to harder, ISEE-style reasoning. It's auto-scored, and you can review every answer afterward.