What each digit is worth
In 352 the 3 is worth three hundred, not three. Seeing that, and writing it, is the base of adding and subtracting with bigger numbers, regrouping included. These sheets go from counting blocks to writing numbers in expanded form, one small step at a time.
Three tasks
- Blocks. Count the flats, rods and cubes, then write the number.
- Tens and ones. 47 = 4 tens 7 ones; 352 = 3 hundreds 5 tens 2 ones.
- Expanded form. 352 = 300 + 50 + 2.
Next steps
Once place value is secure, move on to two-digit addition andsubtraction with regrouping.
In the MOE curriculum
- Primary 1Number notation, representations and place value in tens and ones, for numbers up to 100.
- Primary 2Place value in hundreds, tens and ones, for numbers up to 1000.
- Primary 3Thousands, for numbers up to 10 000.
At every level, Singapore children also read and write each number in words, so add a quick extra to these sheets: write 352 as three hundred and fifty-two. The “and” is the usual form in Singapore English.
Base-ten blocks are the concrete step. Some classes then move to place value charts with counters or discs labelled 100, 10 and 1, which are quicker to draw and carry on to thousands in Primary 3. Ask children to say the value of each digit aloud as they move a counter.
Summarised in our own words from the MOE Primary Mathematics Syllabus (Primary One to Six, 2021, updated October 2025).
