Counting by Tens Starting from Any Multiple of Ten

You will meet this idea in ordinary days. A grocer counting stacked crates of ten starts from what is already stacked, not from zero. This is worth learning because starting anywhere means the pattern belongs to you, not to a memorized list.

Watch for it today, and when you spot it, tell someone what you noticed and how you knew. Ask yourself where else the same idea might be hiding, then go and look.

Here is today’s math treasure. You can start a ten count anywhere. Begin at forty and count on by tens: fifty, sixty, seventy. Begin at eighty: ninety, one hundred, one hundred ten.

The jump is always the same size no matter where you start. Practice starting at different tens so you are not tied to beginning at ten every time. This flexibility becomes very useful when you add tens to bigger numbers.

Try starting at odd places. Begin at thirty and count by tens. Begin at seventy. Begin at one hundred. If you can start anywhere, you own the pattern instead of just remembering a chant. Take your time. Careful is better than fast.