Definition
Tally
A tally is a quick counting mark, often bundled into easy-to-see groups of five.
Continue from this idea into connected AXIO math.
What it means
Make one mark each time you notice or count something. After four marks, draw the fifth across the group. That crossed bundle still means five, not six, so you can count by fives and then add any extra marks.
Remember it
Four standing strokes, then one crossing stroke: a five-mark bundle you can spot at a glance.
Example
A class sees 13 birds. Two complete tally bundles record 10 birds, and three extra marks record the last 3. Counting 5 + 5 + 3 gives 13.
Watch for
A written numeral such as 13 tells the total, but it is not a tally mark made one counted item at a time.
Common mix-up
The diagonal fifth stroke completes the group of five; it is not a sixth mark.
Exact meaning
A tally is one mark that records one counted item. Tally marks are usually arranged in groups of five: four separate strokes and a fifth stroke drawn across them.