Australian Curriculum · Year 2 Australian Curriculum v9, Year 2: Mathematics, Number strand Ages 7–8 (Year 2) ⏱️ 3 min read

Place Value to 1000 and Skip Counting: Year 2 Study Guide

Three-digit numbers are made from hundreds, tens and ones. Skip counting links to multiplication.

Year 2 children extend their number sense to 1000. In 483, the 4 is 4 hundreds (400), the 8 is 8 tens (80) and the 3 is 3 ones (3). They read, write and order numbers, and they use partitioning (breaking numbers into parts) to solve problems. 483 = 400 + 80 + 3, but also 480 + 3 or 300 + 183.

Children also skip count by 2s, 3s, 5s and 10s, forwards and backwards from different starting points. Skip counting is the doorway to multiplication and division.

Hundreds, tens and ones

Number	H	T	O	Partitioned
276	2	7	6	200 + 70 + 6
508	5	0	8	500 + 0 + 8
990	9	9	0	900 + 90
1000	—	—	—	ten hundreds

Skip counting patterns

Each jump is three.

Count by 2s: 2, 4, 6, 8… (even numbers). Count by 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20… (ends in 0 or 5). Count by 10s from any number: 7, 17, 27, 37. Count by 3s: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15… These patterns help to spot and check answers.

Ordering and comparing

To order numbers, compare hundreds first, then tens, then ones. From smallest to largest: 204, 240, 402, 420. Place them on a number line to see their size. Use greater than, less than and equal to, and the signs >, < and =.

Look at the hundreds

Which are smaller?

Then the tens

Compare.

Then the ones

Compare.

Write them in order

204, 240, 402, 420.

Worked examples and common mistakes

Example: What is 10 more than 695? 705. Example: Count by 5s from 85: 85, 90, 95, 100, 105. Common mistakes: writing 'four hundred and six' as 46, forgetting a placeholder zero, and losing track when crossing a hundred (299 to 300). Use place value charts and bundles to check.

💡 Pro Tip: Roll three dice to make a three-digit number, then partition it in two ways.

Check your understanding: model answers

1. 600 + 40 + 1, and 640 + 1 (or 500 + 141). 2. 305, 350, 530. 3. 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30.

✨ Key Takeaways

Three-digit numbers are hundreds, tens and ones.
Partition numbers in more than one way.
Skip count by 2, 3, 5 and 10.
Order numbers by comparing the largest place first.

💬 Questions for Discussion & Reflection

Partition 641 in two ways.
Order from smallest: 530, 305, 350.
Count by 3s from 12 to 30.

Print a hundred chart →

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