Which of the following concepts can be taught using base-ten blocks?

Base-ten blocks are a versatile manipulative commonly used in teaching mathematics, especially in elementary grades, to illustrate foundational concepts related to numbers and their relationships. One of the primary uses of base-ten blocks is to help students understand estimation and place value.

When students use base-ten blocks, they can physically manipulate the blocks to represent different values—hundreds, tens, and ones—allowing them to visualize how numbers are constructed. For example, when representing the number 342, students can use three hundred blocks, four ten blocks, and two one blocks. This hands-on approach makes it easier for students to grasp the concept of place value, which is crucial for understanding larger numbers and performing operations like addition and subtraction.

Additionally, using base-ten blocks supports estimation skills as students learn to round numbers or make quick computations. By representing numbers with blocks, they can easily see the impact of changing a number slightly, aiding in their understanding of the magnitude and proximity of numbers.

In contrast, the other concepts do not directly align with the fundamental purpose of base-ten blocks. Graphing inequalities and high school algebraic equations require more abstract thinking that often goes beyond the tangible representations that base-ten blocks provide. Similarly, metric measurement does not inherently involve place value concepts