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Comparing Large Numbers

PROCEDURAL
MathematicsNumber Representation & Place Value|Ages 8—9|ID: mt_MHaiUd2FLA

Order and compare numbers beyond 1000

Mastery Evidence

  • Compare two four-digit numbers using >, <, and = by examining digits from the highest place value
  • Order a set of numbers up to 10,000 from smallest to largest
  • Justify the ordering using place-value reasoning

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] put a set of four-digit numbers like 4,321, 1,876, and 9,045 in order from smallest to largest — comparing them digit by digit?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

Ma/KS2/Y4/NPV/5The national curriculum in England
Order and compare numbers

order and compare numbers beyond 1000

Mathematics · Key Stage 2

Prerequisites3

Show full prerequisite tree
  • Ordering Numbers to 1000 hard

    Comparing beyond 1000 extends comparing to 1000

    • The three digits of a three-digit number hard

      Comparing three-digit numbers requires three-digit place value

      • A Hundred Is Ten Tens hard

        Three-digit place value requires understanding 100 as a unit

        • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

          100 as ten tens extends understanding of 10 as ten ones

          • The teen numbers hard

            Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

          Must understand two-digit place value before extending to hundreds

          • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

            Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

            • The teen numbers hard

              Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

          • The teen numbers hard

            General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

      • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

        Three-digit PV extends two-digit PV (tens and ones)

        • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

          Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

          • The teen numbers hard

            Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The teen numbers hard

          General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

          • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

            Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Writing digits 0-9 hard

              Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

    • Comparing and ordering numbers hard

      Comparing to 1000 extends comparing two-digit numbers

      • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

        Comparing two-digit numbers using PV requires understanding tens and ones

        • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

          Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

          • The teen numbers hard

            Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The teen numbers hard

          General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

          • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

            Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Writing digits 0-9 hard

              Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

      • Two written numerals between 1 and 10 soft

        Comparing two-digit numbers extends from comparing single-digit written numerals

        • Comparing groups: more or fewer soft

          Comparing written numerals is the symbolic form of comparing quantities — conceptual comparison helps but isn't strictly required

          • Counting objects to 20 soft

            Counting a set helps when comparing groups, but younger children (GB age 4) can compare using matching without formal counting to 20

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Answering 'how many?' requires the cardinality principle

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Counting objects to answer 'how many?' requires one-to-one correspondence

  • Place value of each digit hard

    Comparing four-digit numbers requires four-digit PV

    • The three digits of a three-digit number hard

      Four-digit place value extends three-digit place value

      • A Hundred Is Ten Tens hard

        Three-digit place value requires understanding 100 as a unit

        • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

          100 as ten tens extends understanding of 10 as ten ones

          • The teen numbers hard

            Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

          Must understand two-digit place value before extending to hundreds

          • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

            Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

            • The teen numbers hard

              Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

          • The teen numbers hard

            General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

      • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

        Three-digit PV extends two-digit PV (tens and ones)

        • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

          Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

          • The teen numbers hard

            Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The teen numbers hard

          General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

          • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

            Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Writing digits 0-9 hard

              Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

  • Numbers to 10,000 hard

    Ordering and comparing numbers over 1000 requires the full 10,000 representations toolkit

    • Representing Numbers hard

      Representing to 10,000 extends representing to 1000

      • The three digits of a three-digit number hard

        Representing numbers requires place-value understanding

        • A Hundred Is Ten Tens hard

          Three-digit place value requires understanding 100 as a unit

          • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

            100 as ten tens extends understanding of 10 as ten ones

            • The teen numbers hard

              Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

          • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

            Must understand two-digit place value before extending to hundreds

            • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

              Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

              • The teen numbers hard

                Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                  Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                  • How Many in Total? hard

                    Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                    • One-to-one counting hard

                      Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                  • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                    Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

            • The teen numbers hard

              General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

          Three-digit PV extends two-digit PV (tens and ones)

          • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

            Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

            • The teen numbers hard

              Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

          • The teen numbers hard

            General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

      • Representing numbers with objects hard

        Representing and estimating numbers on a number line builds on Y1 number representations

        • How Many in Total? hard

          Representing numbers with objects/pictures/number line requires understanding that numbers represent quantities

          • One-to-one counting hard

            Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

      • The two digits of a two-digit number soft

        Estimating placement on a 0-100 number line benefits from place value understanding

        • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

          Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

          • The teen numbers hard

            Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The teen numbers hard

          General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

          • How Many in Total? hard

            Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

            • One-to-one counting hard

              Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

          • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

            Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Writing digits 0-9 hard

              Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

    • Place value of each digit hard

      Representing four-digit numbers requires knowing their place value

      • The three digits of a three-digit number hard

        Four-digit place value extends three-digit place value

        • A Hundred Is Ten Tens hard

          Three-digit place value requires understanding 100 as a unit

          • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

            100 as ten tens extends understanding of 10 as ten ones

            • The teen numbers hard

              Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

          • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

            Must understand two-digit place value before extending to hundreds

            • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

              Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

              • The teen numbers hard

                Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                  Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                  • How Many in Total? hard

                    Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                    • One-to-one counting hard

                      Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                  • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                    Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

            • The teen numbers hard

              General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

        • The two digits of a two-digit number hard

          Three-digit PV extends two-digit PV (tens and ones)

          • A Ten Is Ten Ones hard

            Understanding tens and ones place value requires the concept of 10 as a bundle

            • The teen numbers hard

              Understanding 10 as a bundle builds on understanding teen numbers as 'a ten and some ones'

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

                Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

                • How Many in Total? hard

                  Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                  • One-to-one counting hard

                    Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

                • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                  Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)

          • The teen numbers hard

            General two-digit place value extends from understanding teen number composition

            • How Many in Total? hard

              Understanding tens-and-ones composition requires cardinality — knowing numbers represent quantities

              • One-to-one counting hard

                Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

            • Reading and writing numbers to 20 hard

              Composing/decomposing teen numbers requires reading and writing those numerals

              • How Many in Total? hard

                Reading/writing numerals 0–20 requires understanding that numerals represent quantities (cardinality)

                • One-to-one counting hard

                  Cardinality principle builds on one-to-one correspondence — you must count correctly to know the last number tells 'how many'

              • Writing digits 0-9 hard

                Writing numerals requires the motor skill of forming digits 0-9 (taught in English handwriting)