See It Fast

Step 1: Let's Learn

Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.

Watch the idea first — 51 seconds. Then read on, and try it yourself in the next step.

Sometimes you can tell how many things there are without counting. Your eyes just know it!

A number you already know

A dice shows 5 dots. You do not count them. You just see 5.

There is a word for this.

Subitizing means seeing how many, without counting.

Seeing fast helps you add faster later. First, let’s practice seeing.

Step 2: Try It Yourself

Look fast, then say how many.

Tap "Show the card." Look fast, then pick how many you saw.

Card 1 of 5

Ready? The card shows for a moment.

The same amounts, held still in a frame.

How many6

4 more would make 10.

Counters

Step 3: In Real Life

Playing a board game

You roll a dice. You see 5 dots. You do not count them. You just know it is 5. That is seeing it fast. Every dice game uses it.

Step 4: Watch an Example

Watch two friends play a card.

Watch Ana Play

Ana is playing one card. Here is what she does.

Step 1
Ana taps the button. The dots flash, then hide again.

Watch Leo Play a Card

Leo plays one card. He starts. You finish.

Step 1
Leo taps the button. The dots flash, then hide.

Step 5: Your Turn

Practice makes it stick.

At the Park

Problem 1 of 13

Ducks stand in a line by the pond. How many ducks?

The Fish Tank

Problem 2 of 13

Fish swim past in a row. How many fish?

Flash Practice

Play a few more rounds on your own. Try to answer before you feel like counting.

Problem 3 of 13

Card 1 of 4

Ready? The card shows for a moment.

Look at the whole card. Say how many.

Problem 4 of 13

How many dots? Try not to count.

Problem 5 of 13

How many dots? Try not to count.

Problem 6 of 13

Dots all over the card. How many?

Find the Mistake

A friend saw a card. Can you spot the slip?

Problem 7 of 13

Sam sees this card. He says 4. What did Sam do?

Problem 8 of 13

How many dots are on Sam's card?

Problem 9 of 13

Leo sees a row of dots. He says 5. What did Leo do?

Problem 10 of 13

How many dots are in Leo's row?

Which Way?

Pick the way that works best.

Problem 11 of 13

Dots in a dice shape. Which way is quick?

Problem 12 of 13

Lots of dots all over the card. Which way works?

Make What You Saw

Build it, then check.

Problem 13 of 13

Fill six boxes.

Tap the boxes.

How many0

Counters

Step 6: Quick Check

Show what you know.

Question 1 of 2

Which picture shows 4, arranged so it is easy to see fast?

Question 2 of 2

How many dots? Try to see it without counting.

Ready for more?Optional. Past the lesson, for anyone who wants it.

Stretch 1 of 1

A dice shows this. How many dots?

What You Learned

You can know how many without counting.
A shape you know, like a dice pattern, is easy to see fast.
This is called subitizing.

For the grown-up

Counting and knowing how many are different skills. A child can recite to twenty and still recount a row of six every time they are asked, because the last number said has not yet become the answer to "how many".

Watch for recounting. If they count a group, are asked how many, and start again from one, the link has not formed yet. It is extremely common at this age and is not a memory problem.

When it happens, count together slowly and then close your hand over the group and ask again. Hiding the objects is what forces the number to stand in for them.

It only works for small groups — Past about four, almost nobody can see the amount straight away. Five scattered dots have to be counted. Five dice dots do not, because you learned that picture.

Why seeing fast is worth having — Counting takes one step per object. Seeing takes one step for the whole group. That saved time is what lets you think about the problem instead of the counting.

Try it on your hand — Hold up three fingers. Do not look yet. Now glance down and look away again. How many? Three. You knew without counting. Try it with your whole hand. Five. Now try seven fingers the same way. Harder, is it not?