Chapter 8 of Class 1 Joyful Mathematics, Fun with Numbers, strengthens a child’s understanding of number names, number order, and simple patterns in counting, including before/after/between numbers and skip counting by 2s and 5s.
Key Concepts
Number names: matching a number, like 12, with its written word form, “twelve”.
Before, after, and between: identifying the number that comes right before, right after, or in between two given numbers on the number line.
Skip counting: counting forward by jumps of a fixed number instead of one at a time, such as 2, 4, 6, 8 or 5, 10, 15, 20.
Number order: arranging a set of numbers from smallest to largest (ascending) or largest to smallest (descending).
Number patterns: noticing repeating or growing patterns in a sequence of numbers, such as numbers increasing by the same amount each time.
Worked Examples
Example 1
What number comes just before 14? The number just before 14 is 13.
Example 2
Continue the skip counting pattern: 2, 4, 6, __, __. Skip counting by 2s, the next numbers are 8 and 10.
Example 3
Arrange these numbers in ascending order: 9, 3, 7, 1. In ascending order: 1, 3, 7, 9.
Quick Recap
- Every number has a matching number name written in words.
- Before, after, and between describe a number’s position relative to other numbers.
- Skip counting by 2s or 5s is a faster way to count than counting by ones.
- Ascending order means arranging numbers from smallest to largest; descending is the opposite.
- Noticing patterns in numbers helps predict what comes next in a sequence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing up “before” and “after” when identifying neighbouring numbers.
- Losing the correct jump size while skip counting, especially past 10.
- Writing number names incorrectly for tricky numbers like eleven, twelve, or fifteen.
- Arranging numbers in the wrong order by mistake, confusing ascending with descending.
- Assuming every number pattern increases; some patterns in later practice may decrease instead.
Home Practice Tips
- Practise skip counting by 2s and 5s daily using claps or jumps to make it fun.
- Use a number chart from 1 to 20 and point to numbers while saying “before”, “after”, and “between” questions.
- Play a simple ordering game: write five numbers on paper and ask the child to arrange them from smallest to largest.
- Practise matching numbers with their number names using flashcards.
- Look for number patterns on calendars, like counting Mondays by 7s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is skip counting an important skill in Class 1?
Skip counting builds number sense and speed, and it becomes the early foundation for multiplication tables taught in later classes.
Q2. How can I help my child with before/after/between questions?
Use a number line or number chart and physically point to the numbers while discussing their positions relative to each other.
Q3. What is the difference between ascending and descending order?
Ascending order arranges numbers from smallest to largest, while descending order arranges them from largest to smallest.
Q4. Which numbers are usually hardest for children to name correctly?
Numbers between eleven and nineteen are often tricky because their names do not follow the same simple pattern as numbers like twenty, thirty, and forty.
Q5. How does this chapter prepare children for later maths topics?
Recognising patterns and skip counting are early steps toward understanding multiplication tables and larger number operations in higher classes.
Full walkthrough: Chapter 8 Solutions · Extra Questions.
Recommended: Buy the Printed NCERT Class 1 Maths Book
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