Grade 2 Place Value: Tens and Ones
Place value is how we know what each digit in a number is worth. In a two-digit number, the left digit counts the tens and the right digit counts the ones. This lesson explains tens and ones with an interactive tool you can play with, then extends to hundreds.
What Is Place Value?
The same digit can be worth different amounts depending on its place. In the number 34 the “3” is in the tens place, so it is worth 30, and the “4” is in the ones place, so it is worth 4. Put together, 34 means 3 tens and 4 ones, which is 30 + 4.
Try it yourself — tap the buttons to change the tens and the ones, and watch the blocks and the number change.
Hundreds — Numbers to 1000
Bigger numbers add a hundreds place to the left of the tens. The number 246 means 2 hundreds, 4 tens, and 6 ones, which is 200 + 40 + 6. In Grade 2 you work with numbers all the way up to 1000, always reading them as hundreds, tens, and ones.
- Place Value (this lesson)
- Comparing & Ordering Numbers
- Skip Counting
- Addition with Regrouping
- Subtraction with Borrowing
- Even & Odd Numbers
Frequently Asked Questions
What does place value mean?
Place value is the value a digit has because of its position in a number. In 34, the 3 is in the tens place so it is worth 30, and the 4 is in the ones place so it is worth 4.
What is the value of the digit in the tens place?
A digit in the tens place is worth that many tens. For example, the 5 in 52 is in the tens place, so it is worth 50.
How big are the numbers in Grade 2?
Grade 2 students read, write, and compare numbers up to 1000, using hundreds, tens, and ones.
Practise Place Value
Ready to practise? Try the printable worksheets.
Grade 2 Place Value Worksheets →