Count a Circle Without Going Around Twice

Supplied materials

• Paper and a pencil; drawing and spoken explanations are welcome. An adult may read directions and options aloud.
• Supplied worked-case record: A ring has 9 dots.
• All quantities and shape descriptions are supplied in the worked example and questions; no purchase or personal information is needed.

Learn the idea

A circle has no natural first or last object. Choose a starting object and mark it. Move in one direction until you reach that mark again. The marked start tells you that the count is finished, not that you should count it twice.

Draw the supplied number of dots around a circle. Put a star beside one dot. Touch each dot once around the circle, then stop before touching the starred dot again. Say the last number as the total.

A star beside the start prevents a second lap. Stop before counting the first dot again. Make a ring of dots and clearly mark the first dot.

1. Make a ring of dots and clearly mark the first dot.
2. Follow the worked example. Point to each number or shape feature and say what it tells you.
3. Draw the supplied number of dots around a circle.
4. Try the question and then the three practice questions. Check your answers and explain any change you make.

Check your reasoning

Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.

Take it further

Draw 17 dots in a ring and recount in the opposite direction. Expected: 17 both ways.

Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. The answer download includes your current choice and any checked feedback. It does not include choices from the separate More practice section. Download that section separately.