Primary Maths • Years 0–6

Place Value Resources

See how each digit changes value by its position.

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Maths at a glance

See the idea

Tens & ones47 = 4 tens + 7 ones

Hundreds305 = 3 hundreds + 5 ones

Thousands4,206

Decimal places2.375

Explain the value of each digit

What does each digit in 342 represent?

Build the number

3 hundreds + 4 tens + 2 ones

Use hundreds squares, tens rods and single counters, or draw them. Three hundreds represent 300, four tens represent 40, and two ones represent 2. The position of each digit tells us its value.

Write expanded form

342 = 300 + 40 + 2

Read the number as three hundred and forty-two. Point to each digit as you name its value. The digit 4 has a value of 40 in this number; it does not represent four ones.

Exchange without changing the total

342 = 3 hundreds + 3 tens + 12 ones

Exchange one ten for ten ones. There are still 342 altogether: 300 + 30 + 12. This flexible way to represent a number helps learners understand regrouping in addition and subtraction.

Try it with your learner

Write 507 in expanded form: 500 + 7. Next, build 270 in two ways: 2 hundreds and 7 tens, or 27 tens. Explain why both representations have the same value.

A common mistake to discuss

Zero holds a place. In 304, the zero means there are no tens, so 304 = 300 + 4. Removing the zero makes 34, a different number. Compare 304, 340 and 34 using a place-value chart.

Choose a next step:

Year and grade labels differ between countries. Choose resources by the skills your learner is ready to practise.

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Learning pathway

Choose a year

Year 0Early number foundations Year 1Tens and ones Year 2Larger numbers and place value Year 3Hundreds, tens and ones Year 4Numbers to 10,000 Year 5Place value to millions Year 6Large numbers and decimal places

Key skills

What learners practise

grouping quantities in tens and hundredsreading and writing multi-digit numberspartitioning and recombining numbersidentifying the value of each digitcomparing and ordering numbersrounding using place-value understanding

Teaching tips

Build numbers with place-value materials before moving to written notation.
Ask learners to rename the same number in different ways, such as 340 as 34 tens or 3 hundreds and 4 tens.
Use number lines to connect place value with comparison, ordering and rounding.

Ready to practise?

Open the Year 0–6 lesson pathway.

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