Topic Six (1.6): 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 (.), i.e. a 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. Therefore £10 000 can be written as £10,000 or $1 million dollars as $1,000,000.

Consolidate Icon.png Warm Up

First complete the skill checker on page 180.

If you need a refresher from your Year 6 work on place value of integers, try watching this video:

Interact Icon.png Working through the coursebook 

Start by watching these videos, which introduce the topic nicely:

  • Read and make notes on pages 181-184, copying out the worked examples, if you think it will help you. (Please note: you may prefer to use the short division method for the worked example on page 183 if you have forgotten your Year 6 work on fractions. Don’t worry – we’ll visit fractions in a later module!).
  • Now see if you can answer the Band 2 questions on page 185-186.
  • If you would like more practice, then work through these lessons on the MyMaths website:

EXPLORE – Decimal place value (MyMaths) Links to an external site. [Not available on sample course]

  • You may also want to watch the following Corbettmaths video: 

Optional Activities Icon.png Plenary

You have a choice: you can end this lesson by playing a maths game, or watching a video (or even both, if you have time!)

Game-time!

We are spoiled for choice! There are lots of fun games on hundredths and thousandths to be found here:

PLAY – Place value hundreds and thousands (MyMaths) Links to an external site. [Not available on sample course]

Choose one or two games from the suggestions below:

  • beat the clock (slide 10);
  • coconut shy game (slide 5);
  • pond game (slide 6);
  • shirts on a line game (slide 7).

Video

On 15th February 1971 shopping changed for people in the UK. This video explains why the decimal currency was introduced to makes things easier:

WATCH - Decimals: Decimal Day (Twig) [Not available on sample course] 

Bridge Icon.png Support activities for this topic

The Band 1 questions on page 185 will help build your skills on this topic.

Stretch Icon.png Extension activities for this topic

If you would like more of a challenge on this topic, go to page 186 and attempt the Band 3 questions.