Place value: FAQ

Place value refers to the value that each digit in a number has, based on its position. For example, in the number $523$‍, the $5$‍ is in the hundreds place, the $2$‍ is in the tens place, and the $3$‍ is in the ones place.

Here are a couple of the exercises that build off of place value:

We can write numbers in standard form, expanded form, or written form. Expanded form breaks a number down to show the value of each digit. For example, $724$‍ can be written in expanded form as $700+20+4$‍. Written form uses words to write out a number. For example, $724$‍ can be written in written form as "seven hundred twenty-four." Standard form is the way we usually write numbers, using just the digits. For example, $724$‍ is in standard form.

Here are a couple of the exercises that build off of writing numbers in different forms:

$10$‍ is important in place value because our number system is based on the number $10$‍. This means that when we count past $9$‍ in one place value column, we regroup to the next place value (in this case, the tens place).

Here are a couple of the exercises that build off of using $10$‍ in place value:

To compare multi-digit numbers, we start by looking at the largest digit, or the leftmost digit. If one number has a larger digit in that place, we know that number is larger. If the digits are the same, we move to the next digit to the right and continue comparing until we find a difference.

Want to learn more about comparing numbers? Check out this exercise: Compare multi-digit numbers

Understanding place value is important for many reasons. It can help us add, subtract, multiply, and divide multi-digit numbers. It also helps us understand the value of numbers and compare them. Place value is used in all kinds of real-world situations, from counting money to measuring quantities.