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Maths Adventures

Arctic maths quest: place value

A story-led junior maths adventure using ice maps, temperature and survival supplies to decode big numbers by hundreds, tens and ones.

Quick answer

Place value helps you understand how the position of a digit in a number tells you its value. In a number like 347, the 3 means 300 (hundreds), the 4 means 40 (tens), and the 7 means 7 (ones).

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to break down any number into hundreds, tens, and ones – just like an explorer reading the ice maps of the Arctic. Success signs:
  • You can say what each digit in a number means (like 5 in 562 means 500).
  • You can write numbers in expanded form (like 347 = 300 + 40 + 7).
  • You can build numbers using base-10 blocks or drawings.
  • You can solve simple problems using place value.

Why this matters

Understanding place value is like having a secret code to read big numbers. When you're exploring the frozen Arctic, you might need to count how many ice blocks you've collected or how many degrees below zero it is. Place value helps you understand what each number means, so you don’t get confused when numbers get bigger. It’s also the key to adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing larger numbers later on.

How it works

Every number is made up of digits. Each digit has a different value depending on where it is. We use a place value system that goes from right to left: ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, and so on. Let’s explore this with a simple example: 1. Start with a number like 245. 2. The digit 5 is in the ones place – so it means 5 ones. 3. The digit 4 is in the tens place – so it means 4 tens, or 40. 4. The digit 2 is in the hundreds place – so it means 2 hundreds, or 200. So, 245 = 200 + 40 + 5 This is called the expanded form of the number.

Examples you can see

Let’s look at some examples to help you understand: Example 1: The Ice Map Imagine you are an explorer and your ice map shows 347 ice blocks. How do you break this down?
  • 3 hundreds = 300 blocks
  • 4 tens = 40 blocks
  • 7 blocks
So, 347 = 300 + 40 + 7 Example 2: Temperature Reading In the Arctic, the temperature is -27 degrees. What does this mean?
  • 2 tens = 20 degrees
  • 7 degrees
So, -27 = -20 - 7 Example 3: Survival Supplies You have 520 survival supplies. How many of each type?
  • 5 hundreds = 500 supplies
  • 2 tens = 20 supplies
  • 0 supplies
So, 520 = 500 + 20 + 0

Try it as a mini adventure

Arctic Maths Quest: The Ice Block Challenge You are an explorer in the Arctic, and your mission is to collect ice blocks to build a shelter. You have found a treasure map that shows the number of blocks you need. Each number is written in a code. Your first clue says: “There are 347 ice blocks.” 1st time: You look at the number 347. 2nd time: You see the 3 is in the hundreds place. 3rd time: You see the 4 is in the tens place. 4th time: You see the 7 is in the ones place. 5th time: You write it in expanded form: 300 + 40 + 7. 6th time: You build it with blocks or draw it. Now try this challenge: You find another clue: “There are 605 ice blocks.” What does this mean in hundreds, tens, and ones? Answer: 6 hundreds, 0 tens, 5 + 0 + 5

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that the number 347 means 3 + 4 + 7.
    Why it happens: Not understanding that each digit's place gives it a different value.
    Fix: Use base-10 blocks or draw the number to see the hundreds, tens, and ones clearly.
  • Mistake: Forgetting that 0 in the tens or hundreds place still counts.
    Why it happens: Confusing zero with “nothing.”
    Fix: Remember that 0 in any place still means that many of that unit. For example, in 305, the 0 means 0 tens.
  • Mistake: Writing 247 as 200 + 4 + 7.
    Why it happens: Mixing up where the tens digit goes.
    Fix: Always remember that tens are the second digit from the right.

Parent and carer guide

You can help your child understand place value by:
  • Using real objects like coins or blocks to show hundreds, tens, and ones.
  • Playing games like “Build My Number” where you say a number and they build it with base-10 blocks.
  • Practicing with everyday numbers like house numbers, prices, or ages.
  • Reading aloud numbers and asking your child to say what each digit means.
  • Noticing when your child makes mistakes and gently guiding them to the correct way.
It's normal for children to mix up place values at first. Be patient and keep practicing. Use games, stories, and real-life examples to make it fun.

Practice questions

  1. What does the digit 6 in 632 mean?
  2. Write 456 in expanded form.
  3. Break down 809 into hundreds, tens, and ones.
  4. What number is 500 + 30 + 2?
  5. How many hundreds, tens, and ones are in 204?
Answers:
  1. 600 (six hundreds)
  2. 400 + 50 + 6
  3. 8 hundreds, 0 tens, 9 ones
  4. 532
  5. 2 hundreds, 0 tens, 4 ones

FAQ

What is place value?

Place value is the value of a digit based on its position in a number. For example, in 456, the 4 is in the hundreds place, so it means 400.

Why do we use place value?

Place value helps us read and write large numbers easily. It makes it simple to understand what each digit means and how numbers relate to each other.

How can I practice place value at home?

You can use base-10 blocks, draw pictures of hundreds, tens, and ones, or play games with numbers from daily life like house numbers or prices.

What if my child is struggling with place value?

Use hands-on materials like blocks or counters to show what each digit means. Practice with numbers that are meaningful to your child, like their age or the number of toys they have.

Is place value only for big numbers?

No, place value works for any number, from 1 to 1,000,000. It's the foundation for all number work in maths.