Understanding how place value works is a fundamental concept in mathematics. It is crucial in calculations to understand what the value of each digit within a number is.
Our base-10 number system means that the value of a digit is determined by its place within the number.
Teach your children about place value using our handy topic guide!
Teaching Ideas
- Use this place value game for paired work.
- This partitioning sheet is a simple, independent activity for younger children.
- These worksheets are useful for consolidating place value work.
- You just need a pack of playing cards or number cards to play this fun Millionaire Place Value game!
- Investigate how many numbers, can be made with the beads on a tens and ones abacus in this great game.
- Try Place Value Clap when your children are learning about this topic.
- Play some of the place value games suggested in this blog.
- Use this Decimal Demonstrator by ICT games to teach place value with decimals.
Resources
- Download our number pack for some terrific place value resources (and lots more about understanding number!).
- Make a display with our fantastic Place Value Display Pack!
- These 100 squares are an indispensable resource for understanding place value.
- Digit cards are a great tool to demonstrate place value.
- Use our printable place value cards, mats and posters with your children.
Number Facts
- The decimal place value system is based on the number 10.
- Place value allows you to write any number, no matter how big or small, using only the digits 0-9!
- Place value tells us how much each digit in a number is worth. For example, the digit 8 could represent 8 tens (in 86) or 8 thousands (in 8734).
- In any number, whole numbers are placed to the left of the decimal point, and fractions of numbers to the right of it. For example, in 1.5 the 1 represents 1 whole, and the 5 represents 5/10, or 1/2.
- Place value systems were developed by several early civilisations, including the Babylonians. The system we use started in India and started to spread across the world in the 8th century.
Videos
NUMBERJACKS | Tens Moments
A fun episode of Numberjacks that explains how the digits 1 and 0 represent 10.
Running time: 14:02
Fun Place Value Activity Using Cups
This short video demonstrates using stacking cups to model place value, up to millions.
Running time: 1:04
What is Place Value?
A helpful introduction to the topic of place value.
Running time: 3:55
Place Value and Partitioning
Mr K gives a clear explanation of partitioning.
Running time: 3:20
Books
A Place for Zero
Join Zero as he finds his place!
Heinemann Maths 2 Workbook 2
A workbook suitable for those working on place value up to 20.
Year 6 Maths Reasoning
Use this book to revise number and place value.
WHAT'S THE POINT OF MATHS?
This terrific maths reference book traces the history of counting systems, and many other aspects of everyday maths.
Links
- Place Value Basketball is a fun game where children recognise numbers as Dienes blocks, and choose the ball with the correct number in to shoot for a basket!
- Build numbers with this interactive place value chart.
- This BBC Bitesize page has plenty of activities to support learning place value.
- Challenge your children with one of these great place value investigations from NRICH.
Are you teaching your children about other topics? Explore our full collection of guides!
