Explain patterns and relationships in
the place value system
The key to developing numbers sense is to have an
understanding of place value and ordering of numbers (Reys,
Lindquist, Lambdin & Smith, 2009). Furthermore, place value is
the organisational structure for counting and is required when
working with whole numbers and decimals (Reys et al., 2009).
To develop place value understanding students need to learn
whole numbers are in a particular order and there are patterns
in the way we say them which helps us to remember the order
(Curriculum Council of Western Australia,1998).
Hands-on activities, including the use of manipulatives help establish and
develop place value understanding. A 100 chart, calculator and the use of ten
blocks are great way to help students recognise patterns and relationships.
Students are able to see relationships between places and how place value is
represented by using 1-9 and how 0 is a place holder that demonstrates lack of
quantity. With experiences students learn the constant multiplicative
relationship between the places, with the values of the positions increasing in
powers of tens, from left to right.
Through experiences and language students can develop place value understanding
and recognise patterns and relationships. Consequently, students are able to see
there are many ways a number can have equal representations e.g. 120 may be 1 x
hundred + 2 x tens and is the same as 12 x tens or 10 x tens + 20 ones.
Teachers can help develop student’s understanding of patterns in number with
activities such Number Jigsaw and Jumbled Charts, whilst Number Peg Up or
Washing Line and Number Ladder help support order relation understanding.
References
Curriculum Council of Western Australia (1998). Curriculum framework for kindergarten to
year 12 education in Western Australia. Osborne Park, W.A.: Author. Retrieved from
www.curriculum.wa.edu.au/internet/Years_K10/Curriculum_Framework
Reys, R.E., Lindquist, M.M., Lamdin, D.V., & Smith, N.L. (2009). Helping children learn
mathematics (9th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.