Math Dictionary / Place Value

Place Value

Place value is the value of a digit based on its position in a number.

Number SystemGrade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6GED

What it means

The same digit can have different values in different places.

Also called: digit value

Examples

In 482, the 8 means 80
In 3.14, the 1 is in the tenths place
Moving one place left multiplies by 10

Common mistake

A digit and its value are not always the same. In 70, the digit 7 has value 70.

Try one

Question: What is the value of 6 in 3,642?

Show answer

600.

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