How to Identify Place Value in Decimals

Basic math necessitates understanding place values. If you do not understand the place values of both whole and decimal numbers, you will struggle miserably to perform math equations and grasp simple math concepts. Once you can identify place values in decimals, you will then be ready to go on to grasp more complicated math concepts and solve more difficult problems.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Paper

Instructions

1. Make a simple place value chart to illustrate the place values of whole and decimal numbers. Draw four 5-inch vertical lines on the paper, write a decimal point and then draw four more 5-inch vertical lines.

2. Write a number with five digits to the left of a decimal point and five digits to the right of a decimal point within the vertical lines. You should have a ten-digit number with a decimal point at the midpoint of the number. Make the numbers large for the task of creating the place value chart. For example, write the number 45,923.68471.

3. Begin labeling the whole number place values. Start at the decimal point and work your way right. The number in the first place to the left of the decimal point is in the "ones" place (the 3). The number in the second place to the left of the decimal point is in the "tens" place (the 2). The number in the third place to the left of the decimal point is in the "hundreds" place (the 9). The number in the fourth place to the left of the decimal point is in the "thousands" place (the 5). The number in the fifth place to the left of the decimal point is in the "ten-thousands" place (the 4).

4. Label the decimal number place values. Start at the decimal point and work your way left. The number in the first place to the left of the decimal point is in the "tenths" place (the 6). The number in the second place to the left of the decimal point is in the "hundredths" place (the 8). The number in the third place to the left of the decimal point is in the "thousandths" place (the 4). The number in the fourth place to the left of the decimal point is in the "ten-thousandths" place (the 7). The number in the fifth place to the left of the decimal point is in the "hundred-thousandths" place (the 1).

5. Practice labeling numbers by writing numbers with several digits on both sides of a decimal point and labeling them as you did in steps three and four.

References

• Math Help Ace: Place Value Chart