Every digit sits in a column. Its column tells you what it is worth.
The six facts you need
Every place value question uses one of these. You don't need to remember anything else.
1 · ColumnsEvery digit sits in a column. From the right: ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands.
2 · Value of a digitA digit's value = the digit × its column value. The 4 in 3,400 is worth 4 × 100 = 400.
3 · Reading a numberRead the thousands part first, then say “and” before the last part (under 100).
4 · Zero holds a placeZero is not “nothing”. It keeps every other digit in the right column.
5 · Comparing numbersCompare column by column from the LEFT. More digits ⇒ bigger.
6 · ×10 and ÷10× 10 shifts every digit one column LEFT. ÷ 10 shifts every digit one column RIGHT.
Worked example 1 - which digit is in which column
What digit is in the tens column of 456?
Read it. Find the digit in the tens column of 456.
The fact. Columns from the right: ones, tens, hundreds.
456: ones = 6, tens = 5, hundreds = 4.
The tens column has the digit 5.
Answer: 5
Watch outRead columns from the RIGHT, not the left. The tens are second from the right.
Worked example 2 - value of a digit
What is the value of the 4 in 3,456?
Read it. Find how much the 4 in 3,456 is worth.
The fact. A digit's value = the digit × its column value.
The 4 sits in the hundreds column. Column value: 100.
4 × 100 = 400.
Answer: 400
Watch outThe value is NOT just the digit. The 4 in 3,456 is worth 400, not 4.
Worked example 3 - reading a 4-digit number
How do you say 4,205 in words?
Read it. Say 4,205 out loud in full.
The fact. Read the thousands first, then say “and” before the last part.
Thousands part: 4,000 = ‘four thousand’.
Rest: 205 = ‘two hundred and five’.
Join them: ‘four thousand, two hundred and five’.
Answer: four thousand, two hundred and five
Watch outDo not forget the 0 in the tens. Without it you might say ‘two hundred and fifty’ by mistake.
Worked example 4 - words to digits
Write six thousand, two hundred and thirty in digits.
Read it. Turn the words into a number.
The fact. Each named word gives a column value. Add them up.
‘six thousand’ = 6,000.
‘two hundred’ = 200.
‘thirty’ = 30.
No ones stated ⇒ 0 in the ones column.
6,000 + 200 + 30 + 0 = 6,230.
Answer: 6,230
Watch outFill any missing column with 0. Without the 0 in the ones, the number becomes 623 - completely different.
Worked example 5 - comparing numbers with the same digit count
Which is bigger, 5,432 or 5,423?
Read it. Pick the bigger of 5,432 and 5,423.
The fact. Compare column by column from the LEFT.
Thousands: 5 = 5. Same.
Hundreds: 4 = 4. Same.
Tens: 3 vs 2. 3 is bigger.
So 5,432 > 5,423.
Answer: 5,432
Watch outDo not just look at the last digit. Compare column by column from the LEFT.
Worked example 6 - different digit counts
Which is bigger, 605 or 1,032?
Read it. Pick the bigger of 605 and 1,032.
The fact. For whole numbers, more digits always means bigger.
605 has 3 digits.
1,032 has 4 digits.
1,032 has more digits, so 1,032 > 605.
Answer: 1,032
Watch outDo not be fooled by the first digit. 605 starts with 6, but 1,032 is over a thousand.
Worked example 7 - multiplying by 10
Work out 47 × 10.
Read it. Multiply 47 by 10.
The fact. ×10 shifts every digit one column to the LEFT. A 0 fills the ones column.
The 4 was in tens → now in hundreds.
The 7 was in ones → now in tens.
Ones column becomes 0.
47 × 10 = 470.
Answer: 470
Watch outDo not just ‘add a zero’ as if by magic. Each digit shifts one column left; a 0 fills the ones.
Worked example 8 - dividing by 10
Work out 8,600 ÷ 10.
Read it. Divide 8,600 by 10.
The fact. ÷10 shifts every digit one column to the RIGHT.
8,000 → 800.
600 → 60.
0 tens → 0 ones.
8,600 ÷ 10 = 860.
Answer: 860
Watch out‘Just take off a zero’ only works when the number ends in 0. Every digit really shifts one column right.
Practice · Section A
Digits and their values
Which digit · What is it worth
Practice · Section B
Reading and writing numbers
Words to digits · Digits to words
Practice · Section C
Comparing and shifting
Which is bigger · ×10 and ÷10
Ready for more? 100 questions
When you have done these 12, you are ready for the bigger practice paper.
It has 100 questions. They start very easy and get harder near the end. Every question is still Grade 1 — nothing harder. You can stop at any time and come back.