Skip Counting by 10s

Counting by 10s

Counting by 10s means each number in the sequence changes by 10. In a forward sequence, you add 10 each time. In a backward sequence, you subtract 10 each time.

1) Look at the direction

• If the numbers are getting bigger, count forward by 10.
• If the numbers are getting smaller, count backward by 10.

2) Keep the same step

Move from one term to the next by adding or subtracting 10 every time.

• Example forward: 20, 30, 40, 50
• Example backward: 70, 60, 50, 40

3) Fill in the missing numbers

Say the sequence out loud while skipping by tens. This helps you stay on the correct pattern.

4) Check your work

Make sure each neighboring pair differs by 10.

• If the sequence is forward, each number should be 10 more than the one before.
• If it is backward, each number should be 10 less.

A good way to check is to count the jumps: 10, 20, 30, 40... or 80, 70, 60, 50... If every step changes by 10, the sequence is correct.