Step-by-step Maths Level 2: Counting backwards
Part of the Step-by-step Maths Level 2 counting to 100 chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page
Counting backwards
We can also count backwards. Each number is one less than the number after it.
To find the number before, take one away.
Key ideas
- Counting backwards means each number is one less.
- The number before 60 is 59.
- Do not say the number you start with again.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.60
- Count back one. The number before is one less.60 - 1 = 59
- Write the answer. 59
Check. Count on one from 59: you reach 60. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.81
- Count back one. The number before is one less.81 - 1 = 80
- Write the answer. 80
Check. Count on one from 80: you reach 81. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.31
- Count back one. The number before is one less.31 - 1 = 30
- Write the answer. 30
Check. Count on one from 30: you reach 31. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Watch out
Watch out. The number before 40 is 39. Do not say 30.
Exam tip
Grown-up tip. Count back from 20 to 0 on the stairs, one step at a time. Then try from 100.
Exercise 1B Practice: the number before
Non-calculatorMethod. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.64
- Count back one. The number before is one less.64 - 1 = 63
- Write the answer. 63
Check. Count on one from 63: you reach 64. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.69
- Count back one. The number before is one less.69 - 1 = 68
- Write the answer. 68
Check. Count on one from 68: you reach 69. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.55
- Count back one. The number before is one less.55 - 1 = 54
- Write the answer. 54
Check. Count on one from 54: you reach 55. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.74
- Count back one. The number before is one less.74 - 1 = 73
- Write the answer. 73
Check. Count on one from 73: you reach 74. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.10
- Count back one. The number before is one less.10 - 1 = 9
- Write the answer. 9
Check. Count on one from 9: you reach 10. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.13
- Count back one. The number before is one less.13 - 1 = 12
- Write the answer. 12
Check. Count on one from 12: you reach 13. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.26
- Count back one. The number before is one less.26 - 1 = 25
- Write the answer. 25
Check. Count on one from 25: you reach 26. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.85
- Count back one. The number before is one less.85 - 1 = 84
- Write the answer. 84
Check. Count on one from 84: you reach 85. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.1
- Count back one. The number before is one less.1 - 1 = 0
- Write the answer. 0
Check. Count on one from 0: you reach 1. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.63
- Count back one. The number before is one less.63 - 1 = 62
- Write the answer. 62
Check. Count on one from 62: you reach 63. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.94
- Count back one. The number before is one less.94 - 1 = 93
- Write the answer. 93
Check. Count on one from 93: you reach 94. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.11
- Count back one. The number before is one less.11 - 1 = 10
- Write the answer. 10
Check. Count on one from 10: you reach 11. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.97
- Count back one. The number before is one less.97 - 1 = 96
- Write the answer. 96
Check. Count on one from 96: you reach 97. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.65
- Count back one. The number before is one less.65 - 1 = 64
- Write the answer. 64
Check. Count on one from 64: you reach 65. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.17
- Count back one. The number before is one less.17 - 1 = 16
- Write the answer. 16
Check. Count on one from 16: you reach 17. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.
Method. The number before is the number we say just before this one.
- Start at the number. We begin where we are.44
- Count back one. The number before is one less.44 - 1 = 43
- Write the answer. 43
Check. Count on one from 43: you reach 44. It works.
Watch out. The number before is one less. Do not say the same number.