1/15
00:00

A.1 Place value models

Loading questions...

What is place value?

Place value tells us the value of a digit based on its position in a number. Each place is worth ten times as much as the place to its right.

Examples:
  • In 4,572 the 4 is in the thousands place → it means 4,000.
  • The 5 is in the hundreds place → it means 500.
  • The 7 is in the tens place → it means 70.
  • The 2 is in the ones place → it means 2.
Note

Always read numbers by looking at the place of each digit. A digit’s value changes depending on where it is in the number.

How to identify place value

To identify the place value of a digit, look at its position from right to left: ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands.

Steps:
  • Write the number: 9,316
  • Start from the right: 6 is in the ones place.
  • Next: 1 is in the tens place.
  • Next: 3 is in the hundreds place.
  • Next: 9 is in the thousands place.
Note

You can use a place value chart to help line up the digits. This makes it easier to see each digit’s value.

Using models to understand place value

We can use base-ten blocks or drawings to show how each digit represents thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.

Examples with models:
  • 3,482 = 3 thousands blocks + 4 hundreds blocks + 8 tens rods + 2 ones cubes.
  • 6,205 = 6 thousands blocks + 2 hundreds blocks + 0 tens rods + 5 ones cubes.
Note

Models help us “see” the number. Always check if the number matches the blocks: thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.

Writing numbers in different forms

Numbers can be written in standard form, expanded form, and word form. Each form shows the value of the digits in a different way.

Examples:
  • Standard form: 7,243
  • Expanded form: 7,000 + 200 + 40 + 3
  • Word form: seven thousand two hundred forty-three
Note

Expanded form shows the value of each digit. Word form helps you say the number correctly when reading aloud.