What is place value?
In a number, each digit sits in a place. The three places for numbers up to 1000 are hundreds, tens and ones. The place tells us the value of the digit. The same digit can be worth a lot or a little, all because of where it sits in the number.
Key idea
A digit in the hundreds place is worth that many hundreds. In 356 the 3 is worth 300, the 5 is worth 50, and the 6 is worth 6.
Breaking a number apart
We can write 356 as 300 + 50 + 6. This is called expanded form. It shows the value of each digit.
Worked example
In 407, what is the value of the 4? The 4 is in the hundreds place, so it is worth 400. The 0 tens is worth 0, and the 7 is worth 7.
Remember
- Same digit, different place, different value.
- Hundreds, tens, ones from left to right.
- A 0 holds a place open.