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Every place has a name
From right to left, the places are ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten-thousands, hundred-thousands, and millions. The 3 in 306,052 is worth 300,000; the 3 in 52,603 is worth just 3.
Groups of three places
The ones group contains ones, tens, and hundreds. The thousands group contains thousands, ten-thousands, and hundred-thousands. In 306,052, the thousands group is 306 and the ones group is 052.
A digit is not its place value
In 306,052, the thousands digit is 6, its value is 6,000, and the number of complete thousands is 306. These are three different questions. Check which one is being asked.
Worked examples
306 052 = 300 000 + 6 000 + 50 + 2
Zero parts may be left out of the sum, but not out of the written number.
306 052 = 3 × 100 000 + 0 × 10 000 + 6 × 1 000 + 0 × 100 + 5 × 10 + 2
This form shows every place, including empty places with zero.
Try it yourself
Your turn
Type the missing word, number, or sign. Spaces in large numbers are allowed. Try first, then open the explanation.
In 474,047, find the value of each 4.
See an example answer
From left to right: 400,000; 4,000; and 40. The same digit has three different values.
Check your knowledge
Choose one answer for each question. You can revise your answers and check again.
Answer key
- 6 000. Six is in the thousands place.
- 5. Five tens are worth 50.
- 700 000 + 400 + 8. Four is in the hundreds place.
- 10. Adjacent place values differ by a factor of ten.
- Thousands, ten-thousands, and hundred-thousands. A group has three places.