Questions: Place Value: Tens and Ones

Question 1

The number 47 means ___.

• A. 4 ones and 7 tens
• B. 4 tens and 7 ones
• C. 47 ones
• D. 47 tens

Answer: (B)

In 47, the digit 4 is in the tens place (worth 40) and the digit 7 is in the ones place (worth 7). Position determines value — the same digit means something different depending on where it sits.

Question 2

In the number 36, the digit 3 stands for the number 3.

• T. True
• F. False

Answer: False

The digit 3 is in the tens place, so it stands for 3 tens, which equals 30. Only a digit in the ones place represents its face value directly. This is the core misconception place value is designed to correct.

Question 3

How many tens and ones make up the number 52?

Model answer: 5 tens and 2 ones

52 = 50 + 2, so there are 5 groups of ten and 2 leftover ones. Being able to decompose a number this way is the foundation of all multi-digit arithmetic.