Base ten blocks

Base ten blocks, also known as Dienes blocks after popularizer Zoltán Dienes (Hungarian: [ˈdijɛnɛʃ]), are a mathematical manipulative used by students to practice counting and elementary arithmetic and develop number sense in the context of the decimal place-value system as a more concrete and direct representation than written Hindu–Arabic numerals.

), called multibase arithmetic blocks (MAB), so students could concretely compare different number bases and learn about the decimal place-value system as one arbitrary choice among many possibilities.

Base ten blocks are popular in primary-school mathematics instruction, especially with topics that students struggle with such as multiplication.

Physically manipulating objects is an important technique used in learning basic mathematic principles, particularly at the early stages of cognitive development.

Studies have shown that the use of base ten blocks, as with other mathematical manipulatives, decreases as students move into higher grades.