Explaining Place Value in Math

ElevatEd
Math
January 23, 2025

$Place Value$ Place value reveals how much each digit in a number is worth, and it is completely based on its position. The positions begin from one's place, which is called one’s position. Likewise, the place value of digits from right to left is expressed as tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousand, hundred thousand, and so on.

Each digit's position has a different value, and understanding place value is all about recognizing it. It helps to make understanding and working with numbers easy by breaking them down into manageable numbers. This article is going to discuss place value and understanding place value in numbers.

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Definition Of Place Value with Example

Place value is a general concept in mathematics that depends on numbers, and it works with digit positions. Each position dictates a different value of numbers.

Example: If the number is 251 then,

The digit 1 is written in the one's place.

The digit 5 is placed in the tens place.

The digit 2 is in the place of hundreds place.

Place Value Chart

In Math, a place value chart makes it easier to understand place value in numbers. The place value chart makes sure that the digits are all in the right positions. To identify the positional value of digits with accuracy first need to write about the digits in the place value chart, after that write the number in the usual form.

The place value chart is below:

Place value chart for the international system
Millions			Thousands			Ones
Hundred million	Ten million	Millions	Hundred thousand	Ten thousand	Thousands	Hundred	Ten	One

Explanation of decimal place value

Decimal actions are just numbers that include a decimal point to show values are lesser than one. In decimal numbers, the digit at the left place is the whole number and the right number is a decimal part.

Example: If the number is 24.25 then,

24 is the whole number part.

.25 is the decimal part.

Breaking down by place value

Then the whole number part is,

2 in the tens place, that is 20.

4 in one place, that is 4.

The decimal part of the number is,

2 in the tenth place, that is .2 of the 1.

5 in the hundredth place, that is .05 five hundredth.

Face Value and Place Value Difference

Face value	Place value
It is the value of the digit itself	It is the value position in the number
It is just a digit and reading as it is	It shows the digit’s worth based on the positions
For example: if the number is 342, then the face value is 3,4,2.	For example: if the number is 342, then the place value is 3 in hundreds, 4 in tens, and 2 in one place.

In short, place value is a fundamental concept in Math, that helps to understand the value of each number which is based on the positions. It gives the flexibility to break down numbers into manageable parts to make it easier to read, write, or calculate. In-depth knowledge of place values helps solve arithmetic problems with fewer errors. For more information, you can visit, www.98thpercentile.com or you can attend our 1-week free class trial on the Math program.