Step by step
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