- Definition
Place value is about how much a number is worth based on where it sits in a larger number. For example, in the number 123, the '1' means one hundred, not just one, because it's in the hundreds spot.
In the number 253, the digit 2 is in the hundreds place, so its value is 200.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Place value is like money — the digit '2' could mean two pennies, two dimes, or two dollars, all depending on its position.
Ask your child: In the number 48, which digit is worth more, the 4 or the 8?
Common mix-up: Kids may see the digits in 35 as just '3' and '5'. The key idea is that a digit's place gives it its value, so the 3 really means 'thirty'.
Examples
- In the number 64, the 6 is in the tens place and means 60.
- In 12 and 21, the digit '2' has a different value because it is in a different place.
place value is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
