Counting by 5s Starting from 179

Khan Academy

This educational video demonstrates how to skip count by 5s starting from a challenging three-digit number, specifically 179. Unlike standard skip counting that often begins at zero or five, this tutorial guides viewers through the process of adding 5 repeatedly to an arbitrary starting number. The narrator models mental math strategies, explicitly showing how to break down the number 5 into smaller parts (1 and 4) to bridge across decades and hundreds boundaries (e.g., getting from 179 to 180, then to 184). The video explores key themes of arithmetic patterns and number sense. It highlights the repeating pattern in the ones digit when adding 5s (in this case, alternating between 9 and 4). The visual demonstration of handwriting the addition process helps reinforce the concept of regrouping and "making a ten" to simplify mental calculations, rather than relying solely on rote memorization. For educators, this resource is excellent for moving students beyond basic skip counting into more complex number sense application. It is particularly useful for teaching the "bridge to ten" strategy for addition. Teachers can use this video to transition students from simple counting patterns to understanding the underlying addition mechanics of skip counting, helping to build fluency with three-digit numbers and mental addition.