Module 1: Digits, Place Value, and Reading and Writing Numbers
Module 1: Digits, Place Value, and Reading and Writing Numbers
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
We use these ten digits (or ten symbols) to create numbers by placing them in a specific order.
It is the position of each digit within a number that determines its place value. One digit alone
can also represent a number. A single digit that represents a number is said to be in the ones
place value position.
To assist us in determining place value, we use commas to separate periods of a number, and
also use a decimal point to define the location of the ones place. The ones place is just to the
left of the decimal point. When writing down whole numbers we normally do not write down
the decimal point. In this case it is understood that the digit furthest to the right, or rightmost
place, is in the ones place.
We will now look at a whole number with four full periods. The name of each period as well
as the place value of each digit is labeled. Can you see a pattern in the diagram below?
4 9 7, 5 4 8, 6 0 1, 3 7 2.
billions millions thousands ones
period period period period
Next we have a number that has digits to the right of the decimal point. Be sure to again look
for a pattern by imagining the ones place as the middle of the number.
7 3 6, 4 8 5, 0 3 7. 9 2 0 8 1 9 5 6
Can you see the pattern that is mirrored about the ones place? Once we learn how to identify
the place value of digits, we then can learn how to read and write numbers properly.
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Module 1: Digits, Place Value, and Reading and Writing Numbers
Example 1: Write down the place value of the digit 4 in the following numbers. Use the
place value diagrams on the previous page to help find the answer.
2, 0 1 5, 3 2 5.
millions thousands ones
period period period
In the sentence above, notice how the commas break up the sentence to define the periods.
Note that the ones period is excluded. Also, notice that we do not use the word “and” when
writing down whole numbers using words. The word “and” is used to connect the decimal
(or fractional) parts to the whole number. This will be addressed later in this section.
1 1, 9 8 2, 0 5 0, 3 0 7.
billions millions thousands ones
period period period period
Eleven billion, nine hundred eighty-two million, fifty thousand, three hundred seven.
Once again, notice how the commas break up the sentence to define the periods. Also, notice
that the ones period is again excluded from the word statement.
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