Decomposing Digits

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is a two-part exercise designed to reinforce the understanding of place value. In the first section, students are given phrases that describe numbers in terms of tens and ones, such as “two tens and four ones,” and they must write the corresponding numerical figure. The second section flips this concept: students are given actual numbers and must represent them using drawings of base ten blocks, translating the abstract numbers into concrete visual forms.

“Decomposing Digits” teaches students how to break down two-digit numbers into tens and ones, a fundamental aspect of place value. This concept is essential for developing number sense and for understanding how numbers are built and operate within our base ten number system. By converting from word form to numerical form and then to visual representation with base ten blocks, students engage with the numbers in different ways, enhancing comprehension and retention. The worksheet also prepares students for more complex mathematical operations, such as addition and subtraction, by providing a strong foundation in place value.