The idea, step by step
A new place on the left
After 9,999 comes 10,000. Ten thousand is ten groups of one thousand. A five-digit number has a ten-thousands place before the thousands, hundreds, tens and ones.
Read the thousands part first, then the hundreds, tens and ones. The comma in 14,206 helps us see fourteen thousand and 206. It does not change the value.
Build and read carefully
A zero keeps a place empty. In 20,035 there are two ten-thousands, no thousands or hundreds, three tens and five ones. Say twenty thousand and thirty-five.
When writing a spoken number, prepare the five place-value columns first. Put a zero in each empty column so the other digits keep their values.
A common trap
Writing twenty-three thousand and forty as 23,400.
Instead: Forty belongs in the tens place. The final three digits must be 040, not 400.
See the thinking
Read a five-digit number
Read 14,206 in words.
- The first two digits show 14 thousands.
- The last three digits show 206: two hundreds, no tens and six ones.
- Join the two parts.
Write a spoken number
Write twenty-three thousand and forty in digits.
- Write 23 in the thousands part.
- Forty has no hundreds, four tens and no ones, so write 040.
- Join the parts: 23,040.
Check your understanding
What number comes immediately after 19,999?
Show answer
20,000
One more completes the next group of ten thousand.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Write 12,418 in words.
- Write thirty-one thousand two hundred and five in digits.
- Write the number just before 10,000.
- Write the next three numbers: 15,998; 15,999; __; __; __.
- A town has 18 thousands, 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 6 ones in its population count. Write the population.
- Mila writes twenty thousand and seven as 20,070. Explain the mistake and write the correct number.
Read the worked solutions
- Write 12,418 in words.
Read 12 thousands, then 418.
Twelve thousand four hundred and eighteen. - Write thirty-one thousand two hundred and five in digits.
31 thousands plus 205 gives 31,205.
31,205 - Write the number just before 10,000.
Subtract one from 10,000.
9,999 - Write the next three numbers: 15,998; 15,999; __; __; __.
Increase by one each time. Crossing 15,999 changes the thousands part.
16,000; 16,001; 16,002 - A town has 18 thousands, 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 6 ones in its population count. Write the population.
18,000 + 300 + 20 + 6 = 18,326.
18,326 people - Mila writes twenty thousand and seven as 20,070. Explain the mistake and write the correct number.
20,000 + 7 = 20,007; 20,070 means twenty thousand and seventy.
The seven must be in the ones place. The number is 20,007.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics
Numbers beyond 10,000; place value; ordering; estimating quantities and answers.
Official curriculum source ↗