X Tables
Place Value

What is place value

Explain how a digit's value changes depending on its place in a number.

Quick answer

Place value means that the value of a digit depends on where it is in a number. For example, in the number 247, the digit 2 is worth 200 because it is in the hundreds place, the digit 4 is worth 40 because it is in the tens place, and the digit 7 is worth 7 because it is in the ones place.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will understand how the position of a digit changes its value in a number, and you will be able to identify the value of each digit in numbers up to 1000. Success signs:
  • You can tell the value of each digit in a number like 365
  • You can explain why 5 in 528 is worth 5, but 5 in 528 is worth 500
  • You can build numbers using place value blocks or drawings
  • You can compare numbers using what you know about place value

Why this matters

Understanding place value is like learning the secret code of numbers. It helps you:
  • Read and write large numbers easily
  • Add and subtract bigger numbers
  • Understand how money works (pounds and pence)
  • Measure things like metres and centimetres
  • Play games where you count points or score
Place value is the foundation for all the maths you'll learn later. It's like having a map that helps you navigate numbers!

How it works

Think of place value like a game where each position in a number has a special job:
  1. Start from the right side of a number
  2. The first place is the ones place (or units place)
  3. The second place from the right is the tens place
  4. The third place from the right is the hundreds place
  5. The fourth place from the right is the thousands place
Every time you move one place to the left, the value of the digit becomes 10 times bigger.

Examples you can see

Let's look at the number 456:
Place Digit Value
Thousands 4 400
Hundreds 5 50
Tens 6 6
Ones 0 0
Here's how it works:
  • The 4 is in the hundreds place, so it is worth 4 × 100 = 400
  • The 5 is in the tens place, so it is worth 5 × 10 = 50
  • The 6 is in the ones place, so it is worth 6 × 1 = 6
Try this: If you had 4 hundreds blocks, 5 tens rods, and 6 ones cubes, you would have 456 blocks in total.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Treasure Hunt You are going on a treasure hunt! You need to find a chest hidden somewhere in the park. The clue says: "The treasure is buried at the spot that is 3 hundreds, 4 tens, and 2 ones metres from the big oak tree." You have to figure out how far from the tree the treasure is:
  1. 3 hundreds = 3 × 100 = 300 metres
  2. 4 tens = 4 × 10 = 40 metres
  3. 2 × 1 = 2 metres
  4. Total distance = 300 + 40 + 2 = 342 metres
So, you must go 342 metres from the tree to find the treasure!

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that 7 in 723 is worth 7000
    Why it happens: Confusing the place positions
    Fix: Count from the right to find the correct place (7 is in the hundreds place, so it is 700)
  • Mistake: Saying that 5 in 50 is worth 5
    Why it happens: Not understanding that 0 in the tens place still counts as a place
    Fix: Remember that 50 = 5 tens = 50, so the 5 is worth 50
  • Mistake: Adding digits instead of using place value
    Why it happens: Rushing or not reading carefully
    Fix: Write each digit in its place and then add the values

Parent and carer guide

How to help your child:
  • Use everyday objects like counters, coins, or blocks to show how place value works
  • Ask questions like: "What does the 4 mean in 456?"
  • Play games like "Guess the number" where you give clues using place value
  • Point out place value in real life: "Look at the number on this house – what does the 3 mean?"
  • Be patient if they make mistakes – place value takes time to understand
What to watch for:
  • Confusion between 10s and 100s places
  • Forgetting that 0 counts as a place
  • Adding digits instead of their values
What not to worry about:
  • They may mix up the order of places at first
  • They might not understand all the rules at once
  • It's normal to need practice and repetition

Practice questions

  1. What is the value of the 6 in 678?
  2. What is the value of the 2 in 204?
  3. What is the value of the 9 in 999?
  4. Write the number 305 using place value blocks
  5. How many hundreds, tens, and ones are in 740?
Answers:
  1. 600 (hundreds place)
  2. 200 (hundreds place)
  3. 9 (ones place)
  4. 3 hundreds, 0 tens, 5 ones
  5. 7 hundreds, 4 tens, 0 ones

FAQ

What does place value mean?

Place value means that the value of a digit depends on where it is in a number. Each place has a different value, and moving left multiplies the value by 10.

Why do we need place value?

Place value helps us read, write, and work with large numbers easily. It makes maths simpler and helps us understand how numbers are built.

How do I teach place value to a young child?

Use physical objects like blocks or coins. Let them build numbers and see how changing the position changes the value. Play games and use real-life examples like counting money or reading house numbers.

What comes after hundreds in place value?

After hundreds come thousands, then ten thousands, then hundred thousands, and so on.

Can place value be used with decimals?

Yes! Place value works the same way with decimals. For example, in 4.56, the 5 is in the tenths place and the 6 is in the hundredths place.