Steply

Tens and ones

Elementary · 20 problems, easy to harder

▶ Watch the first one solved

How we do it

  1. Show it with blocks
  2. Break a ten
  3. Count the ones
  4. Write the number
  5. Check

The steps for Solve 47 = 3 tens □ ones. Every solution names its steps, so you always know what comes next.

Worked examples

Solve 23 = □ tens □ ones Easy

The question

Question: 23 is how many tens and how many ones?

23 = □ tens □ ones

1 Show it with blocks

A ten is 10 ones stuck together.

We count the tens, then the ones.

2 Write the number

In 23, the 2 is in the tens place.

The 3 is in the ones place.

So 23 is 2 tens and 3 ones.

23 = 2 tens 3 ones

3 Check

2 tens is 20.

20 and 3 make 23.

Yes!

It works.

20 + 3 = 23

Let's look back.

First: show it with blocks.

Then: write the number.

Last: check.

Answer
23 = 2 tens 3 ones

▶ Watch it solved

Solve 85 = □ tens □ ones Medium

The question

Question: 85 is how many tens and how many ones?

85 = □ tens □ ones

1 Show it with blocks

A ten is 10 ones stuck together.

We count the tens, then the ones.

2 Write the number

In 85, the 8 is in the tens place.

The 5 is in the ones place.

So 85 is 8 tens and 5 ones.

85 = 8 tens 5 ones

3 Check

8 tens is 80.

80 and 5 make 85.

Yes!

It works.

80 + 5 = 85

Let's look back.

First: show it with blocks.

Then: write the number.

Last: check.

Answer
85 = 8 tens 5 ones

▶ Watch it solved

Solve 47 = 3 tens □ ones Harder

The question

Question: 47 is 3 tens and how many ones?

47 = 3 tens □ ones

1 Show it with blocks

A ten is 10 ones stuck together.

47 is 4 tens and 7 ones.

2 Break a ten

3 Count the ones

Now there are 7 ones and 10 more ones.

That is 17 ones.

7 + 10 = 17

4 Write the number

So 47 is 3 tens and 17 ones.

47 = 3 tens 17 ones

Careful!

3 tens and 7 ones is only 37.

We must count the 10 new ones.

Careful: not 47 = 3 tens 7 ones ✗

5 Check

3 tens is 30.

30 and 17 make 47.

Yes!

It works.

30 + 17 = 47

Let's look back.

First: show it with blocks.

Then: break a ten.

Then: count the ones.

Then: write the number.

Last: check.

Answer
47 = 3 tens 17 ones

▶ Watch it solved

Practice

Try each one, then open the answer. Stuck? Open the problem to watch every step.

Easy

  1. 23 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    23 = 2 tens 3 ones
  2. 47 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    47 = 4 tens 7 ones
  3. 61 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    61 = 6 tens 1 ones
  4. 18 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    18 = 1 tens 8 ones
  5. 5 tens 3 ones
    Answer
    5 tens 3 ones = 53
  6. 2 tens 8 ones
    Answer
    2 tens 8 ones = 28
  7. 9 tens 1 one
    Answer
    9 tens 1 ones = 91

Medium

  1. 85 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    85 = 8 tens 5 ones
  2. 30 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    30 = 3 tens 0 ones
  3. 6 tens 0 ones
    Answer
    6 tens 0 ones = 60
  4. 1 ten 7 ones
    Answer
    1 tens 7 ones = 17
  5. 74 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    74 = 7 tens 4 ones
  6. 4 tens 9 ones
    Answer
    4 tens 9 ones = 49
  7. 99 = □ tens □ ones
    Answer
    99 = 9 tens 9 ones

Harder

  1. 47 = 3 tens □ ones
    Answer
    47 = 3 tens 17 ones
  2. 52 = 4 tens □ ones
    Answer
    52 = 4 tens 12 ones
  3. 60 = 5 tens □ ones
    Answer
    60 = 5 tens 10 ones
  4. 81 = 7 tens □ ones
    Answer
    81 = 7 tens 11 ones
  5. 35 = 2 tens □ ones
    Answer
    35 = 2 tens 15 ones
  6. 90 = 8 tens □ ones
    Answer
    90 = 8 tens 10 ones