Place Value Practice: Building the Number 27 with Tens and Units

Q: Why can't I just count all the small squares I see?

Because the tens block represents 10 units grouped together as one block. If you count each small square individually, you're not understanding place value - you're just counting!

Q: How do I know which blocks are tens and which are units?

Look at the size and shape! Tens blocks are long rectangles that show 10 squares in a row. Units blocks are single squares. The diagram usually labels them too.

Q: What if I get confused about how many blocks to use?

Break down the number step by step: 27 = 20 + 7. You need 2 groups of ten (that's 2 tens blocks) plus 7 individual squares (that's 7 units blocks).

Q: Can I use different combinations of blocks for the same number?

No! For each number, there's only one correct way using the fewest blocks. 27 must be 2 tens + 7 units. You can't use 1 ten + 17 units because that doesn't show proper place value.

Q: How do I double-check my answer?

Count your blocks: 2 tens blocks × 10 each = 20, plus 7 unit blocks × 1 each = 7. Total: 20 + 7 = 27. If it matches the target number, you're correct!

Place Value with Base-Ten Blocks

Build the number 27 using units and tens.

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

Build the number 27 using units and tens.

Step-by-step solution

To build the number 27 using units and tens, follow these steps:

Step 1: Determine the number of tens in 27. Since 27 divided by 10 equals 2 with a remainder, we have 2 tens (20).
Step 2: Determine the number of units (ones) in 27. The remainder when dividing 27 by 10 is 7. Thus, we have 7 units.
Step 3: Verify this. 2 tens amount to 20, and adding 7 units gives us 27. Therefore, this configuration is correct.

The graphical representation that shows 2 sets of ten blocks and 7 unit blocks correctly illustrates the number 27.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is illustrated by the fourth choice, which shows 2 groups of tens and 7 individual units.

Final Answer

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Rule: Two-digit numbers equal tens plus units (27 = 20 + 7)
Technique: Count sets of ten first: 2 tens = 20, then 7 units
Check: Count total blocks and verify: 2×10 + 7×1 = 27 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Confusing tens and units representations
Don't count individual unit squares in the tens block as separate units = wrong total! The long rectangle represents 10 as one group, not 10 separate units. Always remember that one tens block equals exactly 10 units grouped together.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

What number do the blue squares below represent?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just count all the small squares I see?

Because the tens block represents 10 units grouped together as one block. If you count each small square individually, you're not understanding place value - you're just counting!

How do I know which blocks are tens and which are units?

Look at the size and shape! Tens blocks are long rectangles that show 10 squares in a row. Units blocks are single squares. The diagram usually labels them too.

What if I get confused about how many blocks to use?

Break down the number step by step: 27 = 20 + 7. You need 2 groups of ten (that's 2 tens blocks) plus 7 individual squares (that's 7 units blocks).

Can I use different combinations of blocks for the same number?

No! For each number, there's only one correct way using the fewest blocks. 27 must be 2 tens + 7 units. You can't use 1 ten + 17 units because that doesn't show proper place value.

How do I double-check my answer?

Count your blocks: 2 tens blocks × 10 each = 20, plus 7 unit blocks × 1 each = 7. Total: 20 + 7 = 27. If it matches the target number, you're correct!

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Natural Numbers around 100 questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime