GCSE Maths Number FDP Decimals

Decimal Place Value

Decimal Place Value

Here we will learn about decimal place values, including what place value means for decimal numbers and how to use it.

There are also decimal place value worksheets based on Edexcel, AQA and OCR exam questions, along with further guidance on where to go next if you’re still stuck.

What is decimal place value?

Decimal place value extends our understanding of place value to decimal numbers. Decimal places are the digits to the right of the decimal point.

The place value of a number helps us to understand the value of each digit in the number. To determine the value of each digit in a number we can use a place value chart or place value grid.

place value image 1

For example, let’s place the number 5.793 into the place value chart.

The digit 5 goes in the ones column.

The digit 7 goes in the tenths column.

The digit 9 goes in the hundredths column.

The digit 3 goes in the thousandths column.

Decimal place value image 2

This means that the number 5.793 is equivalent to 5 ones, 7 tenths, 9 hundredths and 3 thousandths.

What is decimal place value?

What is decimal place value?

  • Zero place holder

Sometimes we need to use zero as a placeholder in decimal numbers.

For example, the number 0.05 has zeros in the ones column and the tenths column. To indicate there are no ones and no tenths.

Decimal place value image 3

  • Decimal fractions

Decimal fractions are fractions where the denominator is 10, \ 100, \ 1000 or another power of 10.

For example,

\frac{3}{10} \hspace{1cm} \frac{17}{100} \hspace{1cm} \frac{376}{1000} \hspace{1cm} \frac{19}{1000000}

Decimal fractions can also be used to write the value of the digits in a decimal number. This means that in the number 5.793 the digit 9 is worth 9 hundredths or 0.09 or \frac{9}{100}.

  • Very small numbers

Decimal place values can be extended beyond tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

The decimal place value chart could be extended so there are more columns to the right. Powers of ten can be used to help write very small numbers.

Decimal place value image 4

  • Ordering decimals

Decimal place value can help with ordering decimals.

For example,

Place these decimals in size order from smallest to largest.

0.06 \hspace{1cm} 0.1 \hspace{1cm} 0.007 \hspace{1cm} 0.0009

Let’s take each decimal and compare the place value of the digits.

The digit 9 in 0.0009 represents 9 ten-thousandths. This is the smallest value.

The digit 7 in 0.007 represents 7 thousandths. This is the next biggest value.

The digit 6 in 0.06 represents 6 hundreths. This is the next biggest value.

The digit 1 in 0.1 represents 1 tenth. This is the biggest value.

The decimals in order of size from smallest to largest will be:

0.0009 \hspace{1cm} 0.007 \hspace{1cm} 0.06 \hspace{1cm} 0.1

How to write the value of a digit in a decimal number

In order to write the value of a digit in a decimal number:

  1. Locate the digit within the number.
  2. Recall the place value of that column.
  3. Write the value of the digit.

Explain how to write the value of a digit in a decimal number

Explain how to write the value of a digit in a decimal number

Decimal place value worksheet

Get your free decimal place value worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

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Decimal place value worksheet

Get your free decimal place value worksheet of 20+ questions and answers. Includes reasoning and applied questions.

COMING SOON

Related lessons on decimals

Decimal place value is part of our series of lessons to support revision on decimals. You may find it helpful to start with the main decimals lesson for a summary of what to expect, or use the step by step guides below for further detail on individual topics. Other lessons in this series include:

Decimal place value examples

Example 1: tenths

Write the value of 3 in the number 4.392.

  1. Locate the digit within the number.

Decimal place value example 1

2Recall the place value of that column.

The 3 is in the tenths place.

3Write the value of the digit.

The digit and the place value of the digit combine to give the value of the digit.

The value of the digit 3 in the number 4.392 is 3 tenths or 0.3 or as a decimal fraction \frac{3}{10}.

Example 2: tenths

Write the value of 7 in the number 5.708.

Locate the digit within the number.

Recall the place value of that column.

Write the value of the digit.

Example 3: hundredths

Write the value of 8 in the number 6.489.

Locate the digit within the number.

Recall the place value of that column.

Write the value of the digit.

Example 4: hundredths

Write the value of 2 in the number 30.1289.

Locate the digit within the number.

Recall the place value of that column.

Write the value of the digit.

Example 5: thousandths

Write the value of 1 in the number 35.941.

Locate the digit within the number.

Recall the place value of that column.

Write the value of the digit.

Example 6: thousandths

Write the value of 9 in the number 835.219.

Locate the digit within the number.

Recall the place value of that column.

Write the value of the digit.

Common misconceptions

  • Thousands or thousandths

Numbers to the right of the decimal point are parts of a whole and so they each end with ‘ths’. Numbers to the left of the decimal point do not end in ‘ths’ as they are whole numbers.

Practice decimal place value questions

1. Write the value of 1 in the number 7.129.

0.01
GCSE Quiz False

one tenth

GCSE Quiz True

\frac{1}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

one

GCSE Quiz False

The digit 1 is in the tenths column.

 

The value of the 1 is 1 tenth or 0.1 or \frac{1}{10}.

2. Write the value of 3 in the number 54.391.

3 hundreths

GCSE Quiz False

3
GCSE Quiz False

0.03
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{3}{10}
GCSE Quiz True

The digit 3 is in the tenths column.

 

The value of the 3 is 3 tenths or 0.3 or \frac{3}{10}.

3. Write the value of 4 in the number 9.048.

0.004
GCSE Quiz False

0.4
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{4}{100}
GCSE Quiz True

4 tenths

GCSE Quiz False

The digit 4 is in the hundredths column.

 

The value of the 4 is 4 hundredths or 0.04 or \frac{4}{100}.

4. Write the value of 9 in the number 17.295.

\frac{9}{1000}
GCSE Quiz False

9 thousandths

GCSE Quiz False

0.9
GCSE Quiz False

0.09
GCSE Quiz True

The digit 9 is in the hundredths column.

 

The value of the 9 is 9 hundredths or 0.09 or \frac{9}{100}.

5. Write the value of 2 in the number 197.8126.

\frac{2}{10000}
GCSE Quiz False

2 ten thousandths

GCSE Quiz False

0.02
GCSE Quiz False

2 thousandths

GCSE Quiz True

The digit 2 is in the thousandths column.

 

The value of the 2 is 2 thousandths or 0.02 or \frac{2}{1000}.

6. Write the value of 6 in the number 438.1068.

\frac{6}{1000}
GCSE Quiz True

6 hundreths

GCSE Quiz False

0.0006
GCSE Quiz False

\frac{6}{100}
GCSE Quiz False

The digit 6 is in the thousandths column.

 

The value of the 6 is 6 thousandths or 0.06 or \frac{6}{1000}.

Decimal place value GCSE questions

1. Use the number 56.973 to answer the following questions.

 

(a) What is the digit in the tens place?

 

(b) Write down the value of the digit 7.

 

(2 marks)

Show answer

(a) 5

(1)

 

(b) 7 hundredths or 0.07 or \frac{7}{100}

(1)

2. (a) Write down the value of 3 in the number 2.319.

 

(b) Write down the value of 7 in the number 58.107.

 

(2 marks)

Show answer

(a) 3 tenths or 0.3 or \frac{3}{10}

(1)

 

(b) 7 thousandths or 0.007 or \frac{7}{1000}

(1)

3. (a) Calculate 0.328 \div 10.

 

(b) Write down the value of 3 in the answer to part (a).

 

(2 marks)

Show answer

(a) 0.0328

(1)

 

(b) 3 hundredths or 0.03 or \frac{3}{100}

(1)

4. (a) Ben says,

“the value of the digit 9 in 8.459 is 9000”.

Is Ben correct? Explain your answer.

 

(b) Callum says,

“0.009 is bigger than 0.08 because 9 is bigger than 8”.

Is Callum correct? Explain your answer.

 

(4 marks)

Show answer

(a) No

(1)

Correct explanation involving thousandths

(1)

For example, Ben has said that the 9 is in the thousands column when he meant to say the thousandths column or 0.009.

 

(b) No

(1)

Correct explanation using the value of the digits 9 and 8.

(1)

For example, the 9 in 0.009 is worth \frac{9}{1000} or 9 thousandths.

The 8 in 0.08 is worth \frac{8}{100} or 8 hundreths.

So, 0.009 is actually smaller in value than 0.08.

5. In 2009 the world record for the 100 \ m sprint was 9.69 seconds.

Usain Bolt broke the world record for 100 \ m sprint.

Usain Bolt took 11 hundreths of a second off the previous world record.

Work out the time Usain Bolt ran, setting the new world record for the 100 \ m sprint.

 

(2 marks)

Show answer

Subtracting 11 hundredths from 9.69.

(1)

9.58 seconds

(1)

Learning checklist

You have now learned how to:

  • Understand and use place value for decimals

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