One number, many ways
The number five can look very different:
| Way to show it | Five looks like |
|---|---|
| Objects | five real blocks on a table |
| Pictures | ● ● ● ● ● |
| Fingers | one whole hand |
| Tally marks | a group of four lines with one line crossed through them |
| Numeral | 5 |
| Word | five |
Each of these is a representation of the same quantity. Being able to switch between them is a big step in understanding numbers.
Showing numbers with objects
Objects are things you can hold: counters, blocks, buttons, beans or toy cars. To show 4, put out 4 blocks. Objects are great because you can move them, group them and count them again.
Showing numbers with pictures
When you can’t use real things, draw them. Simple pictures are best: dots, circles or lines. To show 7, draw 7 dots. You can arrange them to make counting easier:
●●●●● ●● (a group of five and two more)
Tally marks
Tally marks are quick lines used to keep count, like counting votes. Draw one line for each thing. When you reach five, draw the fifth line across the first four. That makes a bundle of five, which is easy to count by fives.
| Number | Tally |
|---|---|
| 1 | I |
| 3 | III |
| 4 | IIII |
| 5 | a bundle (four lines crossed by one) |
| 7 | a bundle and II |
Numerals
The numeral is the shortest way to write a quantity. Once you have counted the objects, pictures or tallies, write the numeral to record the total.
Worked examples
Example 1: Which numeral matches ● ● ● ● ●?
Count the dots: 5. Answer: 5.
Example 2: Show 3 in three different ways.
Three blocks, three dots (● ● ●), three tally lines (III), and the numeral 3.
Example 3: A tally chart shows one bundle of five and 2 more lines. What number is that?
5 + 2 = 7.
Common mistakes
- Drawing more or fewer marks than the number. Count your drawing again when you finish.
- Forgetting to cross the fifth tally, which makes tallies harder to count.
- Spreading objects messily, which leads to counting errors. Line them up.
Try it yourself
- Draw dots to show 6.
- What numeral matches IIII?
- How would you show 10 with fingers?
- Two tally bundles of five: what number is that?
Answers: 1) ● ● ● ● ● ● 2) 4 3) both hands, all fingers up 4) 10
Quick recap
- A quantity can be shown with objects, pictures, tally marks or a numeral.
- All of these represent the same amount.
- Count your representation to check that it matches the number.