CCSS.Math.Content.2.NBT.A

Math2nd GradeNumber and Operations in Base Ten

The standard

Understand place value.

Common Core State Standards for Mathematics

What this standard means

Students need to see three-digit numbers as groups of hundreds, tens, and ones. They should build, draw, read, and write numbers to 1,000 in several forms, including standard form, word form, and expanded form. They also need to count by 5s, 10s, and 100s, and compare numbers using place value.

Mastery looks like a student explaining that 407 means 4 hundreds, 0 tens, and 7 ones, not 47. Common trouble spots are zeros in the tens or ones place, mixing up digit value with the digit itself, and comparing numbers from left to right without checking place value.

Ways to teach it

  • Have students build numbers like 236 and 304 with base-ten blocks, then trade tens for ones and hundreds for tens.
  • Ask students to explain in writing how 520 and 502 are alike and different using hundreds, tens, and ones.
  • Show five three-digit numbers and ask students to circle the greatest, underline the least, and justify one choice.
  • Use a grocery receipt total or sports score list and have students order the amounts from least to greatest.

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Related standards

Standard text verified against corestandards.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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