The idea, step by step
A digit has a place and a value
The same digit can mean different amounts. In 407,305, the 7 is in the thousands place, so it means 7,000. Start at the right with ones, then tens, hundreds and thousands. Each move left makes a place worth ten times as much.
Zero keeps an empty place. The zero in the ten-thousands place of 407,305 tells us there are no extra ten-thousands. Removing it would change the number.
| Hundred-thousands | Ten-thousands | Thousands | Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 5 |
Compare from the left
If whole numbers have different numbers of digits, the longer numeral is larger, provided there are no leading zeros. For equal-length numbers, compare the first place where the digits differ.
Group digits in threes to make a large number easier to read. Read 602,041 as six hundred and two thousand, forty-one. Check the zero placeholders when writing from words.
A common trap
The largest digit always has the greatest value.
Instead: Place matters. A 1 in the hundred-thousands place is worth more than a 9 in the tens place.
See the thinking
Find a digit value
What is the value of 7 in 407,305?
- The 7 is three places left of the ones digit. It is in the thousands place.
- Seven thousands is 7 × 1,000.
Order three numbers
Order 53,980, 54,008 and 53,908 from smallest to largest.
- Both numbers beginning with 53 thousands are below 54,008.
- Compare 53,908 and 53,980. Their hundreds match, but 0 tens is less than 8 tens.
Check your understanding
What is the value of 4 in 245,019?
Show answer
40,000
The 4 is in the ten-thousands place: 4 × 10,000 = 40,000.
Your turn
6 questions · 6 marks · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- Write 602,041 in words.1 mark
- Write eight hundred and five thousand, sixty-two as a numeral.1 mark
- What is the value of 9 in 391,246?1 mark
- Order 75,009, 75,900 and 75,090 from smallest to largest.1 mark
- What whole number is one less than 100,000?1 mark
- In 42,708, change the hundreds digit to 3. What is the new number?1 mark
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Write 602,041 in words.1 mark
602,041 contains 602 thousands and 41 ones.
Six hundred and two thousand, forty-one. - Write eight hundred and five thousand, sixty-two as a numeral.1 mark
Write 805 in the thousands group and 062 in the final group.
805,062 - What is the value of 9 in 391,246?1 mark
The 9 is in the ten-thousands place.
90,000 - Order 75,009, 75,900 and 75,090 from smallest to largest.1 mark
Compare the hundreds first, then the tens.
75,009 < 75,090 < 75,900 - What whole number is one less than 100,000?1 mark
Crossing below 100,000 makes each lower place a 9.
99,999 - In 42,708, change the hundreds digit to 3. What is the new number?1 mark
Keep the other digits in their places and replace 7 hundreds by 3 hundreds.
42,308
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9; SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Whole-number revision; partitioning; rounding/estimating quantities; checking reasonable answers.
Official curriculum source ↗