Year 1 One More and One Less: Common Mistakes & Fixes
Understand common Year 1 one more and one less mistakes, why they happen and how to fix them with short practice checks.
Learn from errors
Three mistakes to watch for
These are common ways children can become stuck on this type of question. Use the short check after each one to make sure the correction is understood.
1
Reading a digit by itself instead of using its place
Why it happens: A digit can represent a different value depending on its position, which matters in one more and one less.
Fix it: Name the place first (ones, tens, hundreds and so on), then state the digit's value.
Quick check: Point to one digit in a number and explain its value using the word more.
2
Changing more than one place when counting on or back
Why it happens: Crossing a tens, hundreds or larger boundary can make a sequence look less familiar.
Fix it: Say the sequence aloud and mark the boundary number before continuing.
Quick check: Write three numbers before and three numbers after a boundary value.
3
Comparing numbers from the ones side first
Why it happens: The largest place determines which whole number is greater.
Fix it: Compare from the leftmost place and stop at the first place that differs.
Quick check: Explain which place you compared first and why.
Next step
Turn the explanation into practice
Use the printable for independent work, or return to the topic overview to choose another way to practise.