# Place Value MAB

> Digital Multibase Arithmetic Blocks for teaching place value concepts. (iPhone/iPad app by Aleesha Kondys.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/place-value-mab/id507890987 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Aleesha Kondys](https://appshunter.io/developer/478569400)
- Category: Education, Games
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 4.80/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 7 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 20 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-03-14
- Data updated: 2026-06-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/place-value-mab/id507890987/reviews.md

## What is Place Value MAB?

Place Value compliments the use of hands on experiences for modelling numbers using MAB blocks. It is beneficial in instances when using real blocks is not practical. 

MAB or Multibase Arithmetic Blocks are wooden blocks used to help children understand the base ten properties of the numerical system. MAB encourages students physically manipulate blocks to create, build, model and explain the place value of a number.  

Depending on which school, educational system, state or country you belong to MAB blocks or base ten blocks have various names. 
1 short, mini, unit, U= one (1)
1 long, stick, T =  1 ten (10) 
1 flat, H =  1 hundred (100) 
MAB can also be placed on a place value chart to aid with visualising and correctly aligning the place of each number. 

Place value materials sequence
MAB is one way of teaching place value and should not be the only equipment used in teaching place value. For early counters real world materials should be used such as toys, teddies, marbles and beans.  This should be followed by more abstract means like counters and unifix to model REAL worded problems. 

Before commencing with MAB, students should use icy pole sticks, straws, pencils or joined unifix with which bundles of ten can be made. Through use of variety of equipment, students will come to establish that a bundle is always ten and ten bundles of ten are one hundred. MAB is more abstract and should be introduced as students are ready.

Little Monkey Apps MAB is separated into a teaching module and three corresponding activities to aid children in building, modelling and reading numbers. There are three levels within each area to provide for a range of abilities. The app is designed to be used with an educator or tutor in individual or small group teaching situations followed by independent work by the student. 

Teaching Module 
This section provides MAB, a removable place value chart, removable number display and removable random number generator for playing games. 

The teaching module is to be used with a teacher or tutor with interaction to discuss or investigate real problems. 

Make the number
Read the numerical number given and use the MAB at the bottom of the screen to model the number given, pressing the answer button when finished. Three levels, Level 1 to 30, Level 2 to 99, Level 3 to 999. 

What is that number?
MAB is at the bottom of the screen, students must unjumble the MAB, placing in the correct position on the Place value chart. They then key in the correct number or the keypad (promoting calculator skills). Three Levels of increasing difficulty. 

Listen and Make
Attempts to address numbers in which students make place value errors such as reversals 15 for 51, or omissions 520, 52  for 502 ,3009 for 309 and mishearing 13 for 30. 
Students listen to the number then drag the MAB onto the place value chart in the correct position, pressing answer when complete. Three levels of increasing complexity. 

Just a hint
The most important thing about place value is the language you use. For example 56 has 5 tens, which is really 50 ones, 590 has 59 tens (not 9), but if you model 590, you might ask, what is the digit in the tens place? 

There are many ways to make numbers from MAB, for example 23 could be two longs, three units or one long, thirteen units, or twenty three units. ALL of these are correct and important when addition with regrouping or subtraction with trading begins; however, two longs and three units could make it easier to count or read the number quickly. 

Little Monkey Apps Place Value compliments the use of hands on experiences for modelling using MAB blocks it does not and should not replace physical manipulation of real MAB blocks, unifix, sticks, beans or pencils.

## Key features

- Virtual MAB blocks for number modeling
- Interactive place value chart
- Activities for building, modeling, and reading numbers
- Three difficulty levels per activity
- Teaching module with number generator
- Supports educator-led and independent learning

## Recent user reviews (7 of 7)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/place-value-mab/id507890987/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Very basic

*2021-06-11, version 1.03*

This app is okay, but I'm disappointed that it is so limiting given the cost. EG. I can’t use MAB to model 12 x 12 because you can’t access more than 9 tens or units. It’s really only good for very specified uses with very young children. There’s no potential for teachers to use the app more creatively.

### 5/5 — Awesome app!

*2020-08-07*

We love this app!!!! It is amazing how easy it is to learn place values by using this app!!!!!!! 🛍🌸🦄💘🎀💖🍬🍓🍭

### 3/5 — Disappointed

*2012-10-30, version 1.01*

This app should do everything I need it to do however, I can't use it with my students because it doesn't always correct their answers correctly. For example, sometimes when they have made the number correctly it tells them they are either too low or high. If this problem could be fixed that would be great. Also, it would be great if you could have the option to select a chart labeled H T O for classrooms that use the term ones instead of units. The concept is there just not quite polished.

### 5/5 — Great App!

*2012-10-17*

I am very impressed by this app. I love how there are different ways to differentiate throughout this app. Students can listen and see the number being asked for them to answer. This is a good source for students to use when base ten blocks are not available to them. This app is a great way to work with students one on one in order to assess their learning.

### 5/5 — Disappointed

*2012-08-31, version 1.01*

The idea is great but when I had a play around with it, it told me the answer was too low when the answer was actually correct. This happened several times. If a child was doing this without adult supervision and this kept happening they would get frustrated. Rating would be higher if this was fixed.

### 5/5 — Fantastic app got even better

*2012-04-13*

I gave the original app a 5 star review and had contacted the developers with a couple of requests. The Hundred section was a bit too small and it was hard to place the flats on the chart. My suggestions have been incorporated into this update along with some other improvements. Thanks, Little Monkey Apps, can't wait to use this with my kids tomorrow!

### 5/5 — a MUST app for place value

*2012-03-16*

The Place Value MAB app is an essential app for supporting a child's learning of place value in our base-ten number system!  The app provides three different activities with three levels of "difficulty" in each activity (level 1= ones, level 2= ones and tens, level 3= ones, tens, and hundreds).  The three activities support understanding through encouraging the child to identify quantities by "name" (ex: forty-six), create quantities with base ten blocks (ex:  use the base ten blocks to "show" sixty-two), identify quantities demonstrated with base ten blocks (ex: recognize three ten sticks and seven ones blocks as 37), and identify quantities by numerical symbols (ex: 129).  Place Value MAB actively engages the child in developing an understanding of place value and provides a variety of opportunities for application!

## Frequently asked questions about Place Value MAB

### What is Place Value MAB?

Place Value MAB is an educational application designed to help children understand place value using virtual Multibase Arithmetic Blocks (MAB). It complements hands-on learning with digital tools for modeling and building numbers.

### What are MAB blocks?

MAB blocks, also known as base ten blocks, are physical or digital manipulatives used to represent units (ones), longs (tens), and flats (hundreds) to teach the base ten properties of the numerical system.

### How does Place Value MAB help students learn?

The app offers a teaching module and three interactive activities that allow students to build, model, and read numbers using virtual MAB blocks and a place value chart. It supports different learning levels and is designed for both guided and independent practice.

### What age range is Place Value MAB suitable for?

Place Value MAB has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners beginning to grasp number concepts and place value.

### What devices does Place Value MAB support?

Place Value MAB is currently supported on iPads, providing a tablet-based learning experience for its users.

### How much does Place Value MAB cost?

Place Value MAB is a paid application, available for purchase at $1.99. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements within the app.

### How often is Place Value MAB updated?

The latest version of Place Value MAB is 1.04, which was last updated on December 7, 2022. Updates typically focus on improvements and bug fixes to enhance the user experience.

### What is the user feedback on Place Value MAB?

Place Value MAB has received positive user feedback, indicated by a high rating of 4.8 stars from 4 ratings. This suggests users find the app effective for its intended educational purpose.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.04 — 2022-12-07

Compatability updates for latest iOS

### 1.03 — 2020-06-27

Various bug fixes

### 1.02 — 2017-04-13

- Retina graphics
- Bug fixes

### 1.01 — 2012-04-12

★ Bigger whiteboard
★ H - T - U chart on all screens
★ Take screen shots from the teacher tool
★ Revised teacher notes
★ Blocks can no longer be pushed off the screen
★ Help screens can be hidden

### 1.0 — 2012-03-14

No release notes.

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All apps by Aleesha Kondys: https://appshunter.io/developer/478569400

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-03.*
