When you are counting backwards, you are subtracting or taking away one from each number.

No matter what number you start with, when you are counting backwards

the value of each number is getting smaller.

For example:

10 (-1) 9 (-1) 8 (-1) 7 (-1) 6 (-1) 5 (-1) 4 (-1) 3 (-1) 2 (-1) 1

9 is less than 10,

8 is less than 9

7 is less than 8

6 is less than 7

5 is less than 6

4 is less than 5

3 is less than 4

2 is less than 3

1 is less than 2

When you count backwards from a number, you start at that number and go to the left.

For example:

How would you count backwards from 20 to 1?  (Use the chart below to help you.)

How would you count backwards from 60 to 50?