Tally marks: gates of five — Maths trick for kids

The trick

Count the gates — “every gate 卌 is 5; count the gates in fives, then add the single sticks”

1. Each gate 卌 stands for 5 and each single stick | for 1.
2. Count the gates in fives: 5, 10, 15 …
3. Add the single sticks at the end. Two tallies? Count each one, then add or take away.

Use it for: Class votes, cricket scores, counting birds or cars, and reading tally charts in school data handling.

Worked example: Count the tally marks: 卌 卌 卌 || — how many? → 17

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, then tap your answer — or type it and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Trick 16 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the ✏️ Tally Keeper badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 10 tricks of Part 4 · Clever counting & checking. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Tally Marks Worksheet for Kids

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)