A Ten Is Ten Ones
Understand that 10 can be thought of as a bundle of ten ones — called a 'ten'
What a learner can do afterwards
- Group 10 single cubes into one rod of 10 and explains why
- Explain that 10 ones is the same as 1 ten
- Exchange 10 ones for a single tens block
The lesson
You already know the teen numbers, like 11, 12, and 13. Every teen number starts with one full ten hiding inside it. Today you will learn what that ten really is: it is ten single ones, bundled together and given a new name.
Ravi lines up his 10 cubes in a straight row and snaps them together. Now instead of 10 loose cubes, he has one long rod. That rod is called a ten.
Whenever you count out exactly 10 ones, you can trade them in for a tens block. No cubes left over, and none missing.
That is why the number 10 is written with a 1 and a 0. The 1 stands for 1 ten, and the 0 means there are no extra loose ones left.
Ten ones bundled together make one ten, and that is why 10 has a 1 in the tens spot and a 0 in the ones spot.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
Where this leads
Jobs that lean on this skill. Follow one to see everything it is built on.
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.