Step by step
The question
Question: 52 is 4 tens and how many ones?
52 = 4 tens □ ones
1 Show it with blocks
A ten is 10 ones stuck together.
52 is 5 tens and 2 ones.
2 Break a ten
3 Count the ones
Now there are 2 ones and 10 more ones.
That is 12 ones.
2 + 10 = 12
4 Write the number
So 52 is 4 tens and 12 ones.
52 = 4 tens 12 ones
Careful!
4 tens and 2 ones is only 42.
We must count the 10 new ones.
Careful: not 52 = 4 tens 2 ones ✗
5 Check
4 tens is 40.
40 and 12 make 52.
Yes!
It works.
40 + 12 = 52
Let's look back.
First: show it with blocks.
Then: break a ten.
Then: count the ones.
Then: write the number.
Last: check.
Answer
52 = 4 tens 12 ones