Read the number by place
642,315 has 6 hundred thousands, 4 ten thousands, 2 thousands, 3 hundreds, 1 ten and 5 ones.
Each place is ten times the value of the place to its right.
Year 5
Read, write, order and compare numbers to at least 1,000,000 and determine the value of each digit
Use place value to read, write, compare and order whole numbers up to 1,000,000, and explain what each digit is worth.
Lesson overview
Number - number and place value
When numbers get larger, we still read them one place at a time. The biggest place has the strongest effect on ordering and comparing. Each digit has a value based on where it sits, so the same digit can mean 6, 60, 600, 6,000, 60,000 or 600,000.
Compare from the biggest place
530,402 is greater than 503,999 because 3 ten thousands is more than 0 ten thousands.
If the hundred thousands match, compare the ten thousands next.
Order a set of large numbers
Start with the smallest hundred-thousands value, then compare the next places when needed.
The order comes from comparing one place at a time.
Worked example
What is the value of the 7 in 374,281?
7 ten thousands
- Find the digit 7 in the number.
- The 7 is in the ten-thousands place.
- Seven ten thousands is 70,000.
- So the value of the 7 is 70,000.
Round 1: Learn it
Use the biggest place first, and match each digit to its place value before you answer.
Finish this round to unlock Round 2: Show you know it.
Question 1
What is the value of the 5 in 458,203?
5 ten thousands
Question 2
Write this number in numerals: six hundred and two thousand, nineteen.
Question 3
Which number is greater?
Question 4
Which list is in order from smallest to greatest?
Question 5
Write the value of the 7 in 374,281.
7 ten thousands
Common mistakes
Watch for these as you work through the lesson.
- Reading the digit but not the value of its place.
- Comparing digits in the wrong order instead of starting with the biggest place.
- Dropping a zero when writing a large number in numerals.
Related topics
These ideas connect closely to this lesson.
- Count forwards or backwards in steps of powers of 10 for any given number up to 1,000,000.
- Round any number up to 1,000,000 to the nearest 10, 100, 1000, 10,000 and 100,000.