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decimals

Decimal vocabulary

Explain decimal point, tenth, hundredth, thousandth, place holder and equivalent.

Quick answer

Decimals are numbers that have a decimal point, which separates the whole number part from the fractional part. For example, in 3.75, the "3" is the whole number and "75" are the fractional parts, representing 7 tenths and 5 hundredths.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand what decimals are, what each digit means, and how to read and write decimal numbers using the correct vocabulary. Success signs:
  • You can say the decimal point as "point"
  • You can identify the tenths and hundredths place in a decimal number
  • You can read decimals aloud correctly
  • You can write decimal numbers from their spoken form

Why this matters

Decimals help us measure things more precisely, like how tall you are, how much milk is in a bottle, or how far you walked. In everyday life, decimals are used in money, cooking, shopping, and even in video games and sports. Understanding decimals helps you make better decisions, like knowing if you have enough money for a toy or how much cake each person gets.

How it works

Decimals are numbers that are not whole. They use a decimal point to show where the whole number part ends and the fractional part begins. Each position after the decimal point has a special name:
  • The first digit after the decimal point is the tenth place
  • The second digit is the hundredth place
  • The third digit is the thousandth place
To read a decimal number, say the whole number first, then say "point", then read each digit after the decimal point one by one.

Examples you can see

Let’s explore some decimal numbers with examples you can imagine and draw: Example 1: The decimal number 2.4
  • 2 is the whole number part
  • 4 is in the tenths place
  • So, 2.4 is read as "two point four"
Example 2: The decimal number 1.36
  • 1 is the whole number part
  • 3 is in the tenths place
  • 6 is in the hundredths place
  • So, 1.36 is read as "one point three six"
Example 3: The decimal number 0.007
  • 0 is the whole number part
  • 0 is in the tenths place
  • 0 is in the hundredths place
  • 7 is in the thousandths place
  • So, 0.007 is read as "zero point zero zero seven"
You can also think of decimals like parts of a whole. If you have a pizza cut into 10 equal slices, one slice is 1/10 or 0.1 of the pizza. If you have 100 slices, one slice is 1/100 or 0.01 of the pizza.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Decimal Detective You are a detective trying to solve a mystery. A treasure map shows a location with a decimal address: 4.73 metres from the big oak tree. You must find this spot. Here’s how to use your detective skills:
  1. First, you walk 4 whole metres
  2. Then, you walk 7 tenths of a metre (which is 70 centimetres)
  3. Then, you walk 3 hundredths of a metre (which is 3 centimetres)
  4. Find the spot where all these parts add up to 4.73 metres
This is how decimals work in real life. You're using the decimal point to find the exact spot, just like how decimals help us measure things more accurately.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Saying "point" instead of "decimal point" when reading decimals.
    Why it happens: Children often hear "point" in everyday speech (like "point to that").
    Fix: Practice saying "decimal point" when reading decimals. For example, "3.4 is three point four", not "three decimal point four".
  • Mistake: Mixing up the order of digits after the decimal point.
    Why it happens: Children may not understand that the place values change after the decimal point.
    Fix: Use visual aids like place value charts or draw a decimal number line to help see the order of tenths, hundredths, thousandths.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 0.5 is larger than 0.7 because 5 is bigger than 7.
    Why it happens: Children may compare digits as if they were whole numbers.
    Fix: Explain that 0.5 means 5 tenths and 0.7 means 7 tenths, so 0.7 is bigger.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can support children by:
  • Using real-life examples like measuring ingredients, money, or distances
  • Reading decimals aloud together and asking children to read them back
  • Practising writing decimals from spoken numbers
  • Playing decimal games or using decimal number lines
  • Encouraging children to explain how they understand decimal place values
How to help in 5-10 minutes:
  • Ask your child to read a decimal number aloud
  • Write a decimal and ask them to write it in words
  • Use a measuring tape to measure things and write the measurements as decimals
  • Play a decimal game or use a decimal chart
What not to worry about:
  • Children may make mistakes at first – that’s part of learning
  • Don’t rush to correct every mistake – guide them with questions instead
  • Decimal vocabulary can be tricky, so be patient and repeat key terms

Practice questions

  1. What is the decimal point called in 5.67?
  2. What does the digit 8 represent in 0.85?
  3. How do you read 3.205?
  4. Write 4.07 in words
  5. What is the value of the digit 3 in 0.39?
Answers:
  1. The decimal point is called the "decimal point"
  2. The digit 8 represents 8 tenths
  3. 3.205 is read as "three point two zero five"
  4. 4.07 in words is "four point zero seven"
  5. The digit 3 represents 3 tenths

FAQ

What is a decimal point?

The decimal point is a small dot that separates the whole number part from the fractional part of a decimal number.

What are tenths, hundredths, and thousandths?

Tenths are the first digit after the decimal point, hundredths are the second, and thousandths are the third. They show how many parts of a whole number are included.

How do I read decimal numbers?

Read the whole number first, then say "point", then read each digit after the decimal point one by one.

Why are decimals important?

Decimals help us measure things more accurately, like how much milk is in a bottle, how tall you are, or how much money you have.

Can decimals be more than one?

Yes, decimals can be more than one, like 2.5 or 10.99. They can be any number with a decimal point.