Counting Backwards or Forwards in Maths

Counting backwards or forwards in simple layman terms is just bunny hopping on a number line.

To begin the child needs to know what a number line is and to also note that the numbers to the right are increasing in value and that the numbers to the left are decreasing in value.

Let us use this idea to count backwards or forwards to find a missing number.

To illustrate this idea I use the simple idea of the rule of crossing a road.

Let us use the example of counting backwards or forwards in 5's.

Randomly select a number you would like to start on and apply the rule of the road.

In this example I chose 95.

Let's begin by looking left. Remember that on a number line the numbers to the left are always smaller to those on the right thus in Maths I will use the minus/subtract operation.

My rule is to minus 5 when looking for my numbers on the left.

Let us complete the table.

95 - 5 = 90
90 - 5 = 85............ this answer is already written in
85 - 5 = 80

To complete the missing number on the right I need to remember that on a number line the numbers to the right are always bigger to those on the left thus in Maths I will use the addition/plus operation.

My rule is to add 5 when looking for my numbers on the right

Let us complete the table.

95 + 5 = 100
100 + 5 = 105............ this answer is already written in.

It is so easy to count backwards or forwards when you use the "rule of the road"