What is the Tens Place?

S0-SA1-0017

Grade Level:

Class 1

Maths, Computing

Definition

What is it?

The Tens Place is the second position from the right in a whole number. It tells us how many groups of ten are in that number. For example, in the number 35, the '3' is in the Tens Place.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have 27 laddoos. The '7' tells you how many single laddoos you have (Units Place). The '2' in the Tens Place tells you that you have 2 groups of 10 laddoos, which is 20 laddoos. So, 27 laddoos means two packs of ten and seven loose ones.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the digit in the Tens Place for the number 68.

Step 1: Write down the number: 68

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Step 2: Identify the rightmost digit. This is the Units Place. In 68, the '8' is in the Units Place.

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Step 3: Move one position to the left from the Units Place. This is the Tens Place.

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Step 4: The digit in this position is '6'.

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Answer: The digit in the Tens Place of 68 is 6.

Why It Matters

Understanding the Tens Place is fundamental for all calculations, from simple addition to complex algebra. It's crucial for careers in finance, where you deal with large sums of money, or in computing, where numbers are stored and processed. Even game developers use place value to manage scores!

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing the Tens Place with the Hundreds Place or Units Place. For example, saying '8' is in the Tens Place in 85. | CORRECTION: Always start counting places from the rightmost digit (Units), then move left (Tens, Hundreds, Thousands).

MISTAKE: Thinking the digit in the Tens Place represents its face value. For example, saying the '2' in 23 means '2'. | CORRECTION: The '2' in the Tens Place means 2 groups of ten, which is 20. It represents its place value, not just its face value.

MISTAKE: Not understanding what a 'group of ten' means. | CORRECTION: A group of ten means ten individual items collected together, like 10 rupees notes, 10 cricket balls, or 10 friends.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: What is the digit in the Tens Place of 49? | ANSWER: 4

QUESTION: In the number 72, what is the value of the digit in the Tens Place? | ANSWER: 70

QUESTION: A shopkeeper has 5 packs of 10 pencils and 3 loose pencils. Write this number and identify the digit in the Tens Place. | ANSWER: The number is 53. The digit in the Tens Place is 5.

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which number has '6' in the Tens Place?

The Correct Answer Is:

In 61, the '1' is in the Units Place and the '6' is in the Tens Place. In options A and C, 6 is in the Units Place. In option B, 1 is in the Tens Place.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you check your mobile data balance, say 55 MB, the '5' in the Tens Place tells you there are 5 groups of 10 MB. Similarly, when paying for an auto-rickshaw fare of ₹85, the '8' in the Tens Place represents ₹80, showing how many ₹10 notes you would typically use.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

PLACE VALUE: The value of a digit based on its position in a number | DIGIT: A single symbol used to write numbers (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) | UNITS PLACE: The rightmost position in a whole number, representing single items | TENS PLACE: The second position from the right in a whole number, representing groups of ten

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding the Tens Place! Now you're ready to learn about the Hundreds Place. It builds on this concept by showing how we group numbers into hundreds, helping you work with even bigger numbers.