Reception Maths: Counting back on a number track

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 8 and count back 3. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 8. Start with the number you have.
   8
2. Count back 3. Each number is one less than the one before.
   7, 6, 5
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   5
4. Write the answer.
   5

Check. Count on 3 from 5: you reach 8. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 6 and count back 2. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 6. Start with the number you have.
   6
2. Count back 2. Each number is one less than the one before.
   5, 4
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   4
4. Write the answer.
   4

Check. Count on 2 from 4: you reach 6. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 9 and count back 4. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 9. Start with the number you have.
   9
2. Count back 4. Each number is one less than the one before.
   8, 7, 6, 5
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   5
4. Write the answer.
   5

Check. Count on 4 from 5: you reach 9. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 10 and count back 3. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 10. Start with the number you have.
   10
2. Count back 3. Each number is one less than the one before.
   9, 8, 7
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   7
4. Write the answer.
   7

Check. Count on 3 from 7: you reach 10. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 5 and count back 1. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 5. Start with the number you have.
   5
2. Count back 1. Each number is one less than the one before.
   4
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   4
4. Write the answer.
   4

Check. Count on 1 from 4: you reach 5. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 7 and count back 7. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 7. Start with the number you have.
   7
2. Count back 7. Each number is one less than the one before.
   6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   0
4. Write the answer.
   0

Check. Count on 7 from 0: you reach 7. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Method. Count back from 9 to 6. Each number is one less than the one before.

1. Start at 9. Start with the biggest number.
   9
2. Count back to 6. Say each number, one less each time.
   9, 8, 7, 6
3. Write the numbers. Include the first and last numbers.
   9, 8, 7, 6

Check. Count on from 6 to 9 to check. ✓

Watch out. Do not skip a number when you count back.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 10 and count back 4. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 10. Start with the number you have.
   10
2. Count back 4. Each number is one less than the one before.
   9, 8, 7, 6
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   6
4. Write the answer.
   6

Check. Count on 4 from 6: you reach 10. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 8 and count back 5. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 8. Start with the number you have.
   8
2. Count back 5. Each number is one less than the one before.
   7, 6, 5, 4, 3
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   3
4. Write the answer.
   3

Check. Count on 5 from 3: you reach 8. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 10 and count back 6. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 10. Start with the number you have.
   10
2. Count back 6. Each number is one less than the one before.
   9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   4
4. Write the answer.
   4

Check. Count on 6 from 4: you reach 10. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 7 and count back 3. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 7. Start with the number you have.
   7
2. Count back 3. Each number is one less than the one before.
   6, 5, 4
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   4
4. Write the answer.
   4

Check. Count on 3 from 4: you reach 7. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Key words. Count back means count down, one number at a time.

Method. Start at 9 and count back 2. The number you reach is the answer.

1. Start at 9. Start with the number you have.
   9
2. Count back 2. Each number is one less than the one before.
   8, 7
3. Look at the last number you said. It is the answer.
   7
4. Write the answer.
   7

Check. Count on 2 from 7: you reach 9. ✓

Watch out. Count back one at a time. Do not count the starting number again.

Method. Count back one from 4 and say the number you reach.

1. Start at 4. The number we start with.
   4
2. Count back 1. Counting back goes down, so the number gets smaller.
   3
3. Write the answer.
   No. Counting back makes the number smaller: 4 − 1 = 3.

Check. Add back: 3 + 1 = 4. ✓

Watch out. Counting back goes down the track, not up.