Ones, tens and hundreds
Use bundles, base-ten blocks and drawings to build three-digit numbers.
Quick answer
Ones, tens and hundreds are the place values in a three-digit number. Each digit in a number has a different value depending on its position – the rightmost digit is the ones, the middle digit is the tens, and the leftmost digit is the hundreds.Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will be able to:- Identify the hundreds, tens and ones in a three-digit number
- Build three-digit numbers using bundles or base-ten blocks
- Understand how the position of a digit changes its value
- Read and write three-digit numbers in different ways
Why this matters
Understanding place value helps you:- Read and write big numbers easily
- Count and group objects quickly
- Do addition and subtraction with bigger numbers
- Understand how money works (like £247)
- Build and solve puzzles in games and real life
How it works
Think of a number like 347. Each digit has a special job:- The 3 is in the hundreds place – that means 3 groups of 100
- The 4 is in the tens place – that means 4 groups of 10
- The 7 is in the ones place – that means 7 single items
Examples you can see
Let's look at how to make the number 265 using base-ten blocks or bundles:- 2 hundreds = 2 bundles of 100 sticks
- 6 tens = 6 bundles of 10 sticks
- 5 ones = 5 single sticks
Draw it like this:
| Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bundles of 100 | 6 bundles of 10 | 5 single sticks |
You can also think of it as:
- 2 hundreds = 200
- 6 tens = 60
- 5>
- Total = 200 + 60 + 5 = 265
Try it as a mini adventure
Imagine you are a treasure hunter looking for a hidden chest. You have a map that shows 3 clues:
- Find 5 golden coins
- Find 3 silver bars
- Find 7 jewels
But wait – you need to organize your treasure by type! You decide to put them in groups:
- 7 jewels go in the ones box
- 3 silver bars go in the tens box
- 5 golden coins go in the hundreds box
Now you have a number! What number do you make?
- 5 hundreds = 500
- 3 tens = 30
- 7>
- Total = 500 + 30 + 7 = 537
So your treasure chest contains 537 items!
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking that 347 means 3 + 4 + 7 = 14
Why it happens: Not understanding that each digit's value depends on its place.
Fix: Use base-ten blocks or draw bundles to see how many hundreds, tens, and ones there are. - Mistake: Writing 537 as 500 + 30 + 7, but forgetting to put the hundreds in the right place
Why it happens: Confusing which digit goes where.
Fix: Always start from the left and say "hundreds, tens, ones". - Mistake: Counting 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200 as "hundreds" but forgetting that 1000 is a thousand
Why it happens: Not knowing that numbers go beyond hundreds.
Fix: Remember that 1000 is a four-digit number, with thousands, hundreds, tens, and ones.
Parent and carer guide
Help your child learn place value by:
- Using everyday items like buttons, coins, or pasta to make bundles
- Playing a game: "Guess the number" – give clues like "I have 2 hundreds, 4 tens, and 6 ones"
- Reading numbers aloud and asking them to build the same number with blocks or drawings
- Looking for numbers in the real world – on signs, books, or price tags
- Practising writing numbers in expanded form (like 265 = 200 + 60 + 5)
Tip: Don't worry if your child gets confused at first. It's normal to need practice with place value. Be patient and use lots of hands-on activities.
Practice questions
- What number is made with 4 hundreds, 2 tens, and 5 ones?
- Write 378 in expanded form
- How many tens are in the number 562?
- What is the value of the digit 7 in 743?
- Draw a picture of 159 using base-ten blocks
Answers:
- 425
- 300 + 70 + 8
- 6 tens
- 700
- 1 bundle of 100, 5 bundles of 10, 9 single blocks
FAQ
What does "place value" mean?
Place value means the value of a digit based on where it is in a number. For example, in 347, the 3 is in the hundreds place, so it means 300.
How do I teach my child place value?
Use hands-on tools like base-ten blocks, bundles of sticks, or drawings. Let them build numbers and see how each digit's position changes its value.
Why do we need to know place value?
Place value helps us read, write, and work with bigger numbers. It's the foundation for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
What comes after hundreds?
After hundreds comes thousands, then ten thousands, and so on. For example, 1000 is 10 hundreds.
Can I use place value in games?
Yes! Many games use place value. For example, in a board game, if you move 2 spaces forward and then 4 more, that's 24 spaces. The position of the digits tells you the total.