Place value

Place value helps us identify the value of each digit in a number based on its position. Understanding place value equips you with the knowledge to describe and manipulate whole numbers.

Understanding Place Value

Let’s take the number 5,892,643 as an example. Each digit in this seven-digit number holds a particular value determined by its place.

• The digit “5” is in the millions place, giving it a value of 5,000,000 or 5 million

• The digit “8” is in the hundred-thousands place, so its value is 800,000

• The digit “9” is in the ten-thousands place, making its value 90,000

• The digit “2” is in the thousands place, so it represents 2,000

• The digit “6” is in the hundreds place, giving it a value of 600

• The digit “4” is in the tens place, making it worth 40

• The digit “3” is in the ones place, so its value is 3

Let’s look at some more examples:

Describing Whole Numbers

It’s important to be able to accurately describe whole numbers in both written and spoken forms. Here are a few examples to help you grasp the concept:

• The number 8,000 can be described as “eight thousand.”

• The number 158,000 is described as “one hundred and fifty-eight thousand.”

Let’s look at some more examples:

Practice Questions

Question 1:

Take the number 4,723. What is the place value of the digit “7”?

Solution

The “7” is in the hundreds place, so its value is 700.

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Question 2:

Express the number 63,210 in words.

Solution

The number is sixty-three thousand, two hundred and ten.

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Question 3:

Break down the number 6,419 into its constituent place value

Solution

• 6,000 (Six thousand)
• 400 (Four hundred)
• 10 (Ten)
• 9 (Nine)

When you sum these up: 6,000 + 400 + 10 + 9 = 6,419

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Question 4:

What is the place value of the digit “5” in the number 7,523?

Solution

In the number 7,523, the digit “5” is in the hundreds place.

Therefore, its place value is 500.

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Question 5:

Break down the number 12,084 into its individual place values and then reassemble them to ensure they add up to the original number.

Solution

The number 12,084 can be broken down into its individual place values as follows:

• 12,000 (Twelve thousand)
• 0 (Zero) – this is in the thousands place and its value is zero.
• 80 (Eighty)
• 4 (Four)

When you sum these up: 12,000 + 0 + 80 + 4 = 12,084.