Skill: Identify the number before

Explanation and Free Practice Resources

The learner identifies the immediate predecessor of a whole number within 1–120, understanding that the number before it is one less and is located one step to the left on a number line; this includes transitions such as 20 to 19 and 100 to 99, with 0 recognized as preceding 1. The understanding supports counting, subtraction, and place-value reasoning; negative numbers, fractions, and generalized predecessor rules for arbitrary integers are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Identify the number before

To find the number before a number, move one step to the left on a number line. The number before is also one less.

Example: What number comes before (20)(20)?

  1. Start at (20)(20).
  2. Count back one: (20−1)(20 - 1).
  3. (20−1=19)(20 - 1 = 19).

So, the number before (20)(20) is (19)(19).

19, 20\boxed{19,\ 20}

Remember: the number before 11 is 00.

Learn by doing: Identify the number before

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Number Chart to 100 - Next/Previous Number (one, below 100)


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