You made it through two whole sets of numbers! To reward you for all your hard work, you'll now finish off with easier numbers. If you take your sign language studies further, such as enrolling in a sign language course, you will learn that there are a few shortcuts to numbers. However, for now, all you need is to master the basic numbers.

Twen ty: Use your index and thumb only, all other fingers tucked away. Bring your index finger and thumb together while slightly pulling back.

The sign for “20” is a stand-alone sign. In order to form the handshapes for the numbers “30,” “40,” “50,” “60,” “70,” “80,” and “90,” you will need to sign the basic number first, such as “3,” “4,” or “5.” You will then sign a “0” (zero). A memory aid for these numbers is an easy formula: The number then changes to zero. Take a look at the following example.

THIRTY: Sign the number “3,” then a zero, “0.”

• To sign “40,” sign the number “4,” then “0.”

• To sign “50,” sign the number “5,” then “0.”

• To sign “60,” sign the number “6,” then “0.”

• To sign “70,” sign the number “7,” then “0.”

• To sign “80,” sign the number “8,” then “0.”

• To sign “90,” sign the number “9,” then “0.”