Comparison

Number Pieces, by MLC vs Area Model

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Number Pieces, by MLC

This app helps students grasp place value and computation with multi-digit numbers using interactive visual tools. Users can manipulate number pieces to add, subtract, multiply, and divide, fostering a deeper mathematical understanding.

Highlights
  • Manipulate ones, tens, and hundreds pieces
  • Regroup pieces (e.g., 10 ones to 1 ten)
  • Measure array dimensions with an edge piece
  • Use drawing and text tools for annotations
  • Zoom, scroll, and hide/reveal work
  • Share work via image save or share code
Features
Read full description

Number Pieces helps students develop a deeper understanding of place value while building their computation skills with multi-digit numbers. Students use the number pieces to represent multi-digit numbers, regroup, add, subtract, multiply, and divide. FEATURES • Add and manipulate pieces (ones, tens, and hundreds). • Change the starting set of pieces to a basic or an advanced set. • Join pieces in groups of ten or break them apart (e.g., 10 ones into 1 ten and vice versa). • Use the expanding edge piece like a measuring tape to show the dimensions of arrays created with the pieces. • Choose from three different colors to clearly identify groups or pieces. • Move, rotate, and duplicate pieces individually or as a group. • Use the drawing tools to label representations and show understanding. • Add equations, expressions, and descriptions with the math text and writing tools. • Zoom and scroll to work with larger collections of pieces. • Hide and reveal work with resizable covers to create your own problems and model strategies. • Share your work by saving an image or providing a share code to others. MORE APPS For more Number Pieces resources and other apps, visit: www.mathlearningcenter.org/apps LEARN MORE To learn about Bridges in Mathematics, an elementary curriculum that employs visual models like number pieces, visit: www.mathlearningcenter.org/bridges/overview ABOUT US This resource is brought to you by The Math Learning Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to K-12 education since 1976. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Number Pieces was made possible by a generous donation from Dr. David Moursund. This app was crafted by Clarity Innovations. We help improve teaching and learning by creating solutions that match promising technologies with the needs of education. Visit us: www.clarity-innovations.com

About

Area Model

This educational app helps elementary students master multiplication and division using a visual area model approach. It features interactive tools like Base Ten manipulatives and a drawing pad, aligning with common core standards. Students can personalize their learning with animal icons and bright colors.

Highlights
  • Common Core aligned lessons
  • Base Ten manipulatives
  • Guided tutorial
  • Create custom problems
  • Drawing pad for equations
  • Animal character icons
Read full description

Area Model - Multiplication and Division is an app designed to develop the skills elementary students need to understand and illustrate multiplication and division problems in adherence to the common core state standards. Students benefit from a visual example of the math concept using Base Ten manipulatives. Developed by an elementary teacher and designed by a software developer with years of experience in creating educational software, this innovative, educational app teaches the skills necessary to master multiplication and division. Your student will enjoy learning multiplication and division as they choose animal icons, and bright colors in this interactive math app! FEATURES - Common Core aligned - Base Ten pieces (ones, tens, hundreds) and graph paper - Guided tutorial models how to solve problems - Create your own multi-digit problems for practice - Drawing pad for writing equations. Compare your algorithm to the area model. Choose your pen color. - Icons: choose from five cute animal characters

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Number Pieces, by MLC at 88% against Area Model's 0%. Number Pieces, by MLC also leads on rating (3.9 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Area Model's advantage is iOS requirement (6.0 vs 14.7). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Area Model sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Number Pieces, by MLC asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Number Pieces, by MLC holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Number Pieces, by MLC has 22 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Number Pieces, by MLC's written reviews are positive against 0% of Area Model's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Number Pieces, by MLC ships an update every 9 months, Area Model every 18 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Number Pieces, by MLC versus Area Model: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNumber Pieces, by MLCArea Model
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (22 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings22 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 months — betterEvery 18 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPad
Requires iOS14.76.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThe Math Learning CenterBytes Arithmetic LLC

Customer experience

Number Pieces, by MLC

All ratings19 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.1%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

Area Model

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Number Pieces, by MLC

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Area Model

One-time1
  • Practice Mode$2.99

Questions

Is Number Pieces, by MLC free?
Number Pieces, by MLC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Area Model free?
Area Model is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Number Pieces, by MLC or Area Model?
Number Pieces, by MLC is rated higher. Number Pieces, by MLC averages 3.9 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Area Model averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Number Pieces, by MLC or Area Model have ads?
Neither Number Pieces, by MLC nor Area Model shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Number Pieces, by MLC or Area Model?
Number Pieces, by MLC ships an update every 9 months, and Area Model every 18 months. Most recently, Number Pieces, by MLC was updated on November 1, 2026 and Area Model on November 1, 2026.

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