Topic One (1.1): Place value and decimals

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, you get to know the base 10 counting system. We use 10 digits in our counting system, but their value depends on the column in which they are placed. This section looks at the columns to the left of the decimal point (whole numbers) and columns to the right of the decimal point (parts of a whole).

Note that in the UK, a full stop .  (full point or period) is used in decimals and known as a decimal point. A comma is sometimes used to separate larger numbers, particularly in finance. So £10 000 can be written as £10,000 or $ 1 million dollars as $1,000,000.

Interact Icon.png Working through your course book

  • READ - Logging into the MyMaths digital books Kerboodle site
  • Watch the video on page 5, MyMaths 1B digital book.
  • Read through page 4 that gives examples of how each number is made up of digits and each digit has a place value. Once you understand place value it can help you order decimals.
  • Note. If you get a HTTP ERROR 403 after clicking on a link, it means you are not logged in to Kerboodle, you need to go to kerboodle.com and log in.
  • Note. The green link icon in the bottom right of the MyMaths digital books will take you to relevant homework links that you can work on and save your progress in MyPortal:

READ - Logging into the MyMaths online activities 

If you need another explanation watch the following videos:

Bridge Icon.png Support activities for this topic

The MyMaths 1A digital book introduces these topics at a slower pace. If you'd like to take more time to understand these, look at pages 2–11 for more support.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activities for this topic

The MyMaths 1C digital book provides extension material in its problem-solving questions.

If you would like more of a challenge on place value and decimals, go to page 5 of the MyMaths 1C digital book and attempt questions 8 and 9.