Learn the Method
1Line up the decimal point.
The point is the anchor — every position around it has a fixed value.
2Name each position.
Left of the point: ones, tens, hundreds. Right of the point: tenths, hundredths.
3Give each digit its value.
The 6 in 352.68 is worth 6 tenths (0.6). The 5 is worth 5 tens (50).
Worked Example
What is the value of each underlined digit?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Wrong! Position matters. That 6 sits in the tenths place, so it is worth 0.6.
Wrong! Tens are on the left of the point; tenths on the right. 0.5 has 5 tenths.
Wrong! The zero holds the tenths place. 3.05 is 3 and 5 hundredths — smaller than 3.5.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- Find the decimal point first.
- Left of the point: ones, tens, hundreds…
- Right of the point: tenths, hundredths, thousandths…
- Each place is 10× smaller than the one to its left.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- Each digit's value depends on its position around the decimal point.
- Left of the point: ones, tens, hundreds. Right: tenths, hundredths, thousandths.
- Each place is 10 times smaller than the place to its left.
- Zeros matter: 3.05 (5 hundredths) is not the same as 3.5 (5 tenths).
Frequently asked questions
What is place value in decimals?
Place value means each digit is worth a different amount depending on where it sits. In 4.62, the 6 is worth 0.6 (six tenths) and the 2 is worth 0.02 (two hundredths).
What is a placeholder zero?
A zero that keeps other digits in the correct position. In 3.05, the zero shows there are no tenths — without it the number would wrongly become 3.5.
How can I help my child practise place value?
Ask ‘what is this digit worth?’ about prices and measurements — £3.47, 1.25 litres. Saying values aloud (‘4 tenths’, ‘7 hundredths’) builds the idea quickly.
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