The Introduction to the Decimal System is a simple set of golden bead material which demonstrates the multiples of ten on which decimals and the metric system are based.  It consists of ten each of golden bead units, bars of 10, squares of 100 and a single thousand bead cube.  The bead units come with a tray to keep them from rolling away, and the bars, squares and cube each have their own boxes as well.  The entire set sits in a convenient carrying tray which measures 46 cm x 16 cm (about 18" x 6") so it can be easily moved to and from a work surface.  The boxes for the bars, squares, and cube can be removed from the carrying tray, but the units tray is permanently fixed inside.