/** * https://gist.github.com/samthor/64b114e4a4f539915a95b91ffd340acc */ (function() { var check = document.createElement('script'); if (!('noModule' in check) && 'onbeforeload' in check) { var = false; document.addEventListener('beforeload', function(e) { if (e.target === check) { = true; } else if (!e.target.hasAttribute('nomodule') || !) { return; } e.preventDefault(); }, true); check.type = 'module'; check.src = '.'; document.head.appendChild(check); check.remove(); } }());

Counting in 5s

Part of MathsCounting and orderingYear 2

Counting in 5s

It's useful to be able count forwards and backwards in 5s. It's much quicker than counting in 1s.

There is a pattern when counting in 5s that can be easily seen on a 100 square or number line.

Look at this number line. Each number is 5 more than the number before.

A number line from 0 to 25 with increments of one.

When counting in 5s, every number ends in a 5 or 0.

Back to top

Activity: Counting in 5s

Complete this interactive activity to understand how to count in 5s. Then put your knowledge to the test.

Back to top

Counting on and back in 5s

You can see the same pattern on a 100 square.

Look at the highlighted numbers. Every number ends in a 0 or 5.

Number square from 1 to 100. The columns with numbers ending in 5 and 0 are highlighted,

Groups of 5 can be found everywhere.

For example, a clock organises minutes into groups of 5 to make them easier to count.

A clock showing a group of 5 minutes
Back to top

Example 1

Harry with a thought bubble with the number 40 in it.

Harry is counting back in 5s from 40. What is the next number he says?

Back to top

Example 2

Harry looking up and pointing to the number 5... above his head.

True or false? When you are counting in 5s from 0, you will not say the number 85.

Back to top

Example 3

Bar model with 55, 69, ? and 70.

What number is missing?

Back to top

Sign up to our BBC Bitesize newsletter to receive monthly news, stories and updates on latest Bitesize content.

BBC Bitesize newsletter
Back to top

More on Counting and ordering

Find out more by working through a topic