The idea, step by step
A digit has a job
A digit tells how many groups are in its place. In 352, the 3 means 300, the 5 means 50 and the 2 means 2. Their values join to make the whole number.
Build the whole
You can build a number with base-ten materials or a place-value table. Keep each bundle in its own column. Ten ones have the same value as one ten; ten tens have the same value as one hundred.
| Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 4 | 7 |
A common trap
Saying the 6 in 864 is worth 6.
Instead: The digit is 6, but its value is 60 because it is in the tens place.
See the thinking
Read a build
What number is 2 hundreds, 4 tens and 7 ones?
- 2 hundreds is 200 and 4 tens is 40.
- Join 200, 40 and 7.
Find a digit value
What is the value of the digit 6 in 864?
- The 6 is in the tens place.
- 6 groups of 10 make 60.
Check your understanding
Build a number with 5 hundreds, 2 tens and 3 ones.
Show answer
523
Combine 500, 20 and 3.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- What number is 3 hundreds, 1 ten and 8 ones?
- Split 476 into hundreds, tens and ones.
- What is the value of 9 in 592?
- Write 800 + 20 + 1 as one number.
- What number is 10 more than 345?
- A number has 6 hundreds, 3 ones and 2 tens. What is it?
Read the worked solutions
- What number is 3 hundreds, 1 ten and 8 ones?
300 + 10 + 8 = 318.
318 - Split 476 into hundreds, tens and ones.
476 = 400 + 70 + 6.
4 hundreds, 7 tens and 6 ones. - What is the value of 9 in 592?
The 9 is in the tens place.
90 - Write 800 + 20 + 1 as one number.
There are 8 hundreds, 2 tens and 1 one.
821 - What number is 10 more than 345?
Add one ten: 4 tens become 5 tens.
355 - A number has 6 hundreds, 3 ones and 2 tens. What is it?
Place the groups in hundreds, tens, ones order: 600 + 20 + 3.
623
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Reading/ordering numbers; hundreds/tens/ones; zero; regrouping and renaming.
Official curriculum source ↗