Number Decomposition: Breaking Down 54 into Tens and Units

Q: Which digit comes first when I break down a number?

Always start with the tens digit (the left digit). For 54, the 5 is in the tens place, so you have 5 tens. Then look at the units digit on the right.

Q: What does '5 tens' actually mean?

5 tens means 5 groups of 10, which equals $ 5 \times 10 = 50 $. It's not just the digit 5 - it represents 50 because of its position!

Q: How can I remember which digit is which?

Think of reading from left to right: the bigger place value (tens) comes first, then the smaller one (units). Just like reading words!

Q: Can a number have 0 tens or 0 units?

Absolutely! The number 40 has 4 tens and 0 units. The number 7 has 0 tens and 7 units. Zero is a valid digit in place value.

Place Value with Two-Digit Numbers

Break down the number 54 into units and tens.

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Break down the number 54 into units and tens.

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, let's understand the concept of place value in the given number:

Step 1: Identify the tens digit. The number 54 has 5 in the tens place. This means it has 5 tens.
Step 2: Identify the units digit. The number 54 has 4 in the units place. This represents 4 units.

By decomposing 54, we realize that it consists of 5 tens and 4 units. To validate this:

The tens digit (5) indicates $5 \times 10 = 50$ .
The units digit (4) remains as it is, i.e., 4.
Combining these values gives us the original number: $50 + 4 = 54$ .

Considering the provided multiple-choice answers, Choice 3: "5 tens and 4 units" is correct as it accurately represents the decomposition of 54 using place value.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 5 tens and 4 units.

Final Answer

5 tens and 4 units

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Each digit's position determines its value: tens or units
Technique: 54 has 5 in tens place = 50, 4 in units place = 4
Check: Add decomposed parts: 50 + 4 = 54 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Confusing which digit represents tens versus units
Don't say 4 tens and 5 units for 54 = 40 + 5 = 45! This reverses the place values and gives the wrong number. Always remember the left digit is tens, right digit is units.

Practice Quiz

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FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Which digit comes first when I break down a number?

Always start with the tens digit (the left digit). For 54, the 5 is in the tens place, so you have 5 tens. Then look at the units digit on the right.

What does '5 tens' actually mean?

5 tens means 5 groups of 10, which equals $5 \times 10 = 50$ . It's not just the digit 5 - it represents 50 because of its position!

How can I remember which digit is which?

Think of reading from left to right: the bigger place value (tens) comes first, then the smaller one (units). Just like reading words!

What if I get confused about the positions?

Use this trick: cover the units digit with your finger. The remaining number shows how many tens you have. For 54, cover the 4 and you see 5 tens!

Can a number have 0 tens or 0 units?

Absolutely! The number 40 has 4 tens and 0 units. The number 7 has 0 tens and 7 units. Zero is a valid digit in place value.

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