Learn the idea
To the right of the decimal point, the places are tenths, hundredths, and thousandths. Each place is one tenth of the place on its left. A digit’s value depends on its position.
- Find the decimal point.
- Count places to the right: tenths, hundredths, thousandths.
- Multiply the digit by its place value.
LET’S WORK IT OUT
Worked example
What is the value of the 7 in 4.372?
0.07, or seven hundredths
Three is in the tenths place, seven is in the hundredths place, and two is in the thousandths place.
A mistake to watch for
The digit seven does not always mean seven tenths; first locate its place.
YOUR TURN
Try three practice questions
Enter your answer, then check the explanation. You can also open each explanation to study it. These three questions check understanding; they are not a mastery score.
Question 1
What is the value of the 6 in 2.164? Enter a decimal.
Answer and explanation
0.06 — Six is in the hundredths place, so its value is 0.06.
Question 2
What is the value of the 8 in 5.803? Enter a decimal.
Answer and explanation
0.8 — Eight is in the tenths place, so its value is 0.8.
Question 3
What is the value of the 9 in 0.249? Enter a decimal.
Answer and explanation
0.009 — Nine is in the thousandths place, so its value is 0.009.
For parents and teachers
Read a decimal as a sum of whole units and fractional place units.
Ask your learner to explain the method before moving on. This lesson covers one focused skill and is not a complete curriculum assessment.