Counting Back by Tens Exercises for Grade 1

Master counting back by tens: subtraction strategies, number line counting, and base-10 patterns through these 3 detailed exercises.

Visual Learning: Counting Back by Tens

🔟
1️⃣
Start High
Begin with the larger number ending in zero.
🔄
Jump Back
Move backward by tens.
📊
Find Answer
Land on the next ten.
🎯
Key Rule
Subtract 10 each jump.
Solutions: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Basic Counting Back by Tens
Exercise 1
Use counting back by tens to solve: 50 - 10 = ?
Definition:

Counting back by tens: A subtraction strategy that starts with a multiple of 10 and jumps back by 10s.

Counting back by tens method:
  1. Start with the first number (50)
  2. Count backward by 10 (jump back one ten)
  3. Move from 50 to 40
  4. The number you land on is the answer
Start
50
Back 10
40
40
50
60
70
80
90
Step 1: Start with the first number

Begin at 50 (the number we're subtracting from)

Step 2: Jump back 10

Move from 50 to 40 (50 - 10 = 40)

Step 3: Identify the answer

We landed on 40, so that's our answer

50 - 10 = 40
Final answer:

50 - 10 = 40

Applied rules:

• Counting by tens: Each jump changes only the tens digit

• Subtraction principle: Each jump reduces the total by 10

• Base-10 pattern: Only the tens place changes

Tip 1: Focus on the tens digit - subtract 1 from it each time.
Tip 2: Think of it as counting backward by 1s but for tens.
2 Multiple Tens Counting Back
Exercise 2
Use counting back by tens to solve: 80 - 30 = ?
Definition:

Multiple tens counting back: Counting back by tens multiple times to subtract larger multiples of 10.

Start
80
Back 10
70
Back 20
60
Back 30
50
50
60
70
80
90
Start: 80
Count back 3 tens
➡️
End: 50
Step 1: Start at 80

Begin at 80 on the number line

Step 2: Jump back first 10

From 80 to 70 (80 - 10 = 70)

Step 3: Jump back second 10

From 70 to 60 (70 - 10 = 60)

Step 4: Jump back third 10

From 60 to 50 (60 - 10 = 50)

80 - 30 = 50
Final answer:

80 - 30 = 50

Applied rules:

• Multiple jumps: Count back by 10 for each ten being subtracted

• Sequential subtraction: Subtract 10 at each step

• Base-10 pattern: Only the tens place changes in each jump

3 Counting Back by Tens Word Problem
Exercise 3
Sam had 90 stickers. He gave 40 stickers to his friends. How many stickers does he have left? Use counting back by tens.
Definition:

Word problem counting back by tens: Using the counting back by tens strategy to solve real-world subtraction problems with multiples of 10.

Started with
90
Gave away
40
Left
50
Stickers: 90
Gave: 40
➡️
Left: 50
Step 1: Identify the numbers

Sam started with 90 stickers, gave away 40 → 90 - 40 = ?

Step 2: Start counting back from 90

Begin at 90 (the total number of stickers)

Step 3: Jump back 10

Move from 90 to 80 (90 - 10 = 80)

Step 4: Jump back 20

Move from 80 to 70 (80 - 10 = 70)

Step 5: Jump back 30

Move from 70 to 60 (70 - 10 = 60)

Step 6: Jump back 40

Move from 60 to 50 (60 - 10 = 50)

90 - 40 = 50 stickers left
Final answer:

Sam has 50 stickers left.

Applied rules:

• Problem translation: Convert word problems to number sentences

• Subtraction modeling: Counting back by tens represents taking away groups of 10

• Context application: Connect math to real-world situations

Detailed Summary: Counting Back by Tens
Counting Back by Tens = Base-10 Subtraction Pattern
Subtraction Strategy
Core concepts:

Counting back by tens: A subtraction strategy that starts with a multiple of 10 and jumps backward by 10s

Base-10 system: Our number system based on groups of 10

Place value: Understanding that digits represent different values based on position

Sequential counting: Moving through numbers in order (backward by 10s)

Essential methodologies:
  1. Start with multiples of 10: Begin with numbers ending in zero
  2. Count backward by 10s: Move through tens in reverse order
  3. Focus on tens digit: Only the tens place changes in each jump
  4. Track jumps: Keep track of how many tens you've counted back
  5. Land on answer: The number you stop on is the result
  6. Verify result: Check your answer by adding back
Tip 1: Focus on the tens digit only - subtract 1 from it for each jump.
Tip 2: Practice counting backward by 10s from different starting points.
Tip 3: Use a hundreds chart to visualize the counting back by tens.
Tip 4: Remember that only the tens digit changes when counting by tens.
Common pitfalls: Counting by 1s instead of 10s, changing the ones digit unnecessarily, losing track of jumps, forgetting that only tens place changes.
Success strategies: Focus on tens digit, use visual aids, practice regularly, check answers by adding back.
Fundamental counting back by tens principles:

• Base-10 rule: Each jump backward changes only the tens digit by 1

• Starting point: Always begin with a multiple of 10 (ends in 0)

• Jump size: Each step moves back exactly 10 units

• Digit focus: Only the tens place changes in each jump

• Verification: Add the subtracted tens back to check the answer

A0 - B×10 = (A-B)0 where A, B are digits
Counting Back by Tens Formula
Practice Tools & Techniques
Counting Back by Tens = Tens Digit Subtraction
Learning Approach
Practice components:

Visual aids: Number lines, hundreds charts, and base-10 blocks

Sequential counting: Moving through multiples of 10

Place value understanding: Recognizing digit positions

Subtraction modeling: Representing subtraction with jumps

Practice activities:
  1. Hundreds chart exercises: Practice jumping backward by 10s
  2. Base-10 blocks: Use physical blocks to represent tens
  3. Counting songs: Practice counting backward by 10s
  4. Word problems: Apply counting back by tens to real-world scenarios
Tip 1: Create a hundreds chart and practice jumping up and down by 10s.
Tip 2: Practice counting backward by 10s from 100 to 0.

Tip 3: Use dimes to represent tens for hands-on practice.
Progress indicators: Consistent accuracy in counting back by tens, understanding of place value, confidence in using the strategy for word problems.
Next steps: Extend to counting back by other multiples, introduce mental math, combine with other subtraction strategies.

Tens Counting Pattern

🔢
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100

Questions & Answers

Question: My students sometimes change the ones digit when counting back by tens. How can I help them focus on the tens place?

Answer: This is a common place value confusion. Try these strategies:

  • Visual highlighting: Underline or color the tens digit in different colors
  • Physical separation: Cover the ones digit with a finger while focusing on tens
  • Base-10 blocks: Use rods to represent tens and show that ones don't change
  • Memory device: "Only the first digit changes when counting by tens"

Practice with visual aids that clearly separate the tens and ones places.

Question: My child struggles with the concept of jumping by 10s. How can I make it more concrete for them?

Answer: Make counting by 10s tangible with these concrete approaches:

  • Physical movement: Take 10 big steps backward for each jump
  • Money connection: Use dimes to represent tens
  • Grouping objects: Create groups of 10 items to count back
  • Number line walking: Walk along a large number line marked with tens

Connect the abstract concept to physical actions that demonstrate the magnitude of each jump.

Question: Some students have difficulty recognizing multiples of 10. How can I help them identify the starting points?

Answer: Build recognition of multiples of 10 with these approaches:

  • Pattern recognition: Highlight that multiples of 10 always end in 0
  • Visual sorting: Separate numbers that end in 0 from others
  • Counting practice: Regularly count by 10s forward and backward
  • Color coding: Use a specific color for all multiples of 10

Start with smaller multiples (10-50) before moving to larger numbers.