1 Read the place-value chart
Hundreds3Tens0Ones6
The 3 is in the hundreds column, the 0 in the tens column and the 6 in the ones column.
3 hundreds, 0 tens and 6 onesYear 3
Place Value • Primary Maths
Year 3 Place Value
What does the zero in 306 tell us? Use a chart and different ways of splitting the number to see why its place matters.
hundreds5tens7ones2572
Maths at a glance
See the Year 3 idea
Digits572 = 5H 7T 2O
Rename10 tens = 100
Partition846 = 800 + 40 + 6
Round746 ≈ 700
Try it together
Three ways to show 306
306: what is each digit worth?
2 Write the expanded form
300 + 0 + 6 = 306
Split the number into hundreds, tens and ones. You can also write 300 + 6 because there are no tens to add.
306 = 300 + 63 Exchange one hundred
3 hundreds + 6 ones
= 2 hundreds + 10 tens + 6 ones
= 2 hundreds + 10 tens + 6 ones
Swap 1 hundred for 10 tens. The grouping changes, but the number stays the same.
200 + 100 + 6 = 306Your turn
Have a go
Choose a method. Work it out on paper or with objects, then check below.
1. What is the value of 7 in 472?
Show answer 1
70 — The 7 is in the tens column.
2. Write 508 in expanded form.
Show answer 2
500 + 8 — There are 5 hundreds, no tens and 8 ones.
For teachers and parents
Ask, “How are 306 and 36 different?” Put both numbers in a place-value chart and compare the value of the 3.
A point to check
Do not leave out the zero when writing 306. Writing 36 moves the 3 into the tens place.
Need an easier starting point?
Build 106 with one hundred block and six ones. Leave the tens column empty, then write a zero there.
Year 3 refers to the learning sequence on iLearn Maths. Year and grade labels differ around the world, so choose by the skills and examples that suit your learner.
Choose your practice
- The value of each digit: interactive lesson 6 · worksheet 6
- Partitioning three-digit numbers: interactive lesson 8 · worksheet 8
- Exchanging tens and hundreds: interactive lesson 9 · worksheet 9
The examples and short practice above are free to use. Full lesson and worksheet access depends on your account or subscription.
From the Year 3 pathway
Learning focus
Lesson 5Find hundreds, tens and ones
Lesson 6Identify the place value of each digit
Lesson 7Build three-digit numbers
Lesson 8Partition three-digit numbers
Lesson 9Rename 10 tens as 100 and 10 hundreds as 1,000
Lesson 14Round numbers to the nearest 10
Key skills
What learners practise
identify hundreds, tens and onesidentify the place value of each digitbuild three-digit numberspartition three-digit numbersrename 10 tens as 100 and 10 hundreds as 1,000
Ready to practise Year 3 place value?
Choose a lesson from the Year 3 learning pathway.