It is important to maintain proper place value of digits when performing mathematical calculations. You must be able to convert written numbers into digits. For example:

Two million, forty thousand and two	2,040,002
One and a half million	1,500,000
Ten thousand and ten	10,010

You can practice place value questions by answering questions such as the ones below:

a) Write a number that is 100 more than 4, 904.
b) Write a number that is 1000 less than 478, 243.
c) What number is one more than 9,999?
d) What is the value of 5 in the number 241, 598?
e) What figure is in the ten thousands place in 4,365,243?
f) What number is 30,000 less than 423,599?

The answers are listed below.

Place value is important when lining up numbers for addition and subtraction questions. For example:

The most common errors are to failing to place digits correctly under one another, or attempting to solve problems in their head.

Answers to practice questions:

a) 5,004
b) 477,243
c) 10,000
d) 500
e) 6
f) 393,599

Make sure you are comfortable with the proper names for location of digits in a number.

1,234,567.890

1 = millions column
2 = hundred thousands column
3 = ten thousands column
4 = thousands column
5 = hundreds column
6 = tens column
7 = ones column
8 = tenths column
9 = hundredths column
0 = thousandths column