Understanding Tens and Ones

In math, every digit (number symbol) has a place value — a value that depends on where it sits in a number. In two-digit numbers, there are two places: the tens place and the ones place.

What Are Tens?#

A ten is a group of 10 ones bundled together. Think of ten single sticks tied into one bundle. That bundle represents 1 ten.

• 1 ten = 10 ones
• 2 tens = 20 ones
• 3 tens = 30 ones
• 5 tens = 50 ones

What Are Ones?#

Ones are single units — just 1 each. They do not form a full group of ten.

For example, if you have 3 tens and 4 loose ones, you have: 3 × 10 + 4 = 34

The Place Value Chart#

A place value chart shows you which digit is in which place:

This shows the number 34: 3 tens and 4 ones.

Let's try a few more:

• 52: 5 tens, 2 ones (50 + 2 = 52)
• 71: 7 tens, 1 one (70 + 1 = 71)
• 90: 9 tens, 0 ones (90 + 0 = 90)
• 17: 1 ten, 7 ones (10 + 7 = 17)

Using Base Ten Blocks#

A great way to see place value is with base ten blocks:

• A long flat strip represents 1 ten (10 little cubes in a row)
• A tiny cube represents 1 one

To show the number 43, you would use 4 ten-strips and 3 tiny cubes.

Place value is one of the most important ideas in math. Once you understand it, adding and subtracting large numbers becomes much easier!