X Tables
Place Value

Regrouping tens and ones

Trade ten ones for one ten and back again using manipulatives.

Quick answer

Regrouping tens and ones means trading ten individual ones for one group of ten, or trading back again. You can use objects like counters, blocks, or beads to help you see how this works.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to trade between ones and tens using objects or drawings, and understand that ten ones equal one ten. Success signs:
  • You can show ten individual objects and say, "This is one group of ten."
  • You can take ten ones and make one ten group.
  • You can take one ten group and make ten ones.
  • You can explain that ten ten.

Why this matters

Understanding how to regroup tens and ones is important because it helps you:
  • Count bigger numbers more easily
  • Add and subtract numbers like 27 + 5
  • Use base-10 blocks to solve maths problems
  • Prepare for learning about hundreds and thousands
This skill is used when you share snacks, count your pocket money, or even when you play games with friends.

How it works

Regrouping means changing how you group numbers. Here's how it works step by step:
  1. Start with individual ones (like single counters or blocks)
  2. When you have ten ones, you can trade them for one group of ten
  3. When you need to take away or break apart, you can trade back to ones

Examples you can see

Let's use a fun example to show how this works: Example 1: Building with blocks Imagine you have 13 blocks. You can group them like this:
  • 10 blocks in one pile (that's one group of ten)
  • 3 blocks in another pile (that's three ones)
So 13 = 1 ten + 3 ones Example 2: Counting money If you have 17 pennies:
  • You can group 10 pennies together to make one ten-penny group
  • The remaining 7 pennies stay as individual ones
So 17 = 1 ten + 7 ones Example 3: Sharing fruit You have 24 apples and want to share them equally among 4 friends:
  • Start with 24 individual apples
  • Group 10 apples together to make one group of ten
  • Keep grouping until you have 2 groups of ten and 4 ones
So 24 = 2 tens + 4 ones

Try it as a mini adventure

The Great Apple Swap Challenge You are a fruit shop owner who needs to prepare for the weekend. You have 32 apples and want to put them in boxes. Each box holds exactly 10 apples. Step 1: Count your 32 apples. Step 2: Put 10 apples in the first box. Step 3: Put 10 apples in the second box. Step 4: Put the remaining apples in the third box. Step 5: How many boxes do you need? How many apples are in each box? Answer: You need 3 boxes. Two boxes have 10 apples (2 tens), and one box has 2 apples (2 ones).

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking 10 tens Why it happens: Confusing the value of the group with the number of groups Fix: Remember that 10 ten, not 10 tens
  • Mistake: Counting individual items instead of groups Why it happens: Not understanding that one group of ten is worth more than ten individual items Fix: Use a visual to show that one group of ten is the same as ten individual ones
  • Mistake: Forgetting to regroup when adding Why it happens: Not knowing that 10 ones make one ten Fix: Practice with base-10 blocks or counters to see the groups clearly

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child practice regrouping tens and ones in just 5-10 minutes:
  • Use everyday items like counters, beans, or pasta pieces to make groups of ten
  • Ask your child to show you 15 items and then group them into tens and ones
  • Play a quick game: "I have 23 items. Can you make 2 tens and 3 ones?"
  • Use a hundreds chart to show how numbers change when you add or take away tens
  • Encourage your child to explain their thinking: "How did you group those?"
Don't worry if they make mistakes – that's how they learn! Focus on the process, not just the answer.

Practice questions

  1. How many tens and ones are in 14?
  2. How many tens and ones are in 27?
  3. How many tens and ones are in 35?
  4. How many tens and ones are in 8?
  5. How many tens and ones are in 10?
Answers:
  1. 1 ten + 4 ones
  2. 2 tens + 7 ones
  3. 3 tens + 5 ones
  4. 0 tens + 8 ones
  5. 1 ten + 0 ones

FAQ

What is regrouping in maths?

Regrouping means changing how you group numbers. In place value, it's about trading ten ones for one ten, or one ten for ten ones.

Why do we need to learn about tens and ones?

Learning about tens and ones helps you understand bigger numbers, do addition and subtraction, and prepares you for more advanced maths like multiplication and division.

Can I use anything to practice regrouping?

Yes! You can use counters, beans, pasta pieces, blocks, or even drawings to practice making groups of ten and individual ones.

How do I know if I have the right number of tens and ones?

Count all your items first. Then group ten individual items together to make one ten. The remaining items are your ones.

What happens if I have 10 ones?

If you have 10 ones, you can trade them for one ten group. You will have 1 ten and 0 ones.