1. What is a number?

A number tells us how many things there are. We use numbers to count, to order and to measure. Examples: 3 mangoes 🥭🥭🥭, 10 shillings (KSh 10).

2. Number names and numerals

A numeral is a symbol like 7. The number name is "seven". Learn numbers 0–20:

3. Counting with pictures

We can count objects. Example: Count the mangoes below.

Answer: five (5)

Using tallies (groups of 5):

4. Tens and units (place value)

Numbers have tens and units. For example, 34 = 3 tens + 4 units.

5. Number line (0–20)

We can use the number line to count forward or backward.

6. Compare and order numbers

Use symbols: > (greater), < (less), = (equal)

Example: 15 > 9 because 15 has more objects than 9.

Kenyan example: KSh 50 > KSh 20 (50 shillings is more than 20 shillings).

7. Odd and even

Even numbers can be put into pairs with none left over (2, 4, 6...). Odd numbers have one left over (1, 3, 5...).

8. Practice questions

1. Write the number name for 14.
2. How many mangoes? 🥭🥭🥭🥭
3. Show 23 as tens and units (how many tens and units?).
4. Which is greater: 12 or 21?
5. Is 18 odd or even?
6. Order these numbers from smallest to largest: 9, 17, 5, 12.

Try in class or at home!

Answers

1. Fourteen
2. Four (4)
3. 23 = 2 tens (20) and 3 units (3)
4. 21 is greater than 12 → 21 > 12
5. 18 is even
6. In order: 5, 9, 12, 17