Numbers to 1000

In a nutshell

Numbers can be made up of one or more digits and can also be written using words. Using place value headings, such as hundreds, tens and ones can help you to understand the value of each digit in a number.

Place value

When a number is written in digits, the order of the digits determines the value of the number. For example, in the number $512$ , the digit $5$ represents $5$ hundreds. However, in the number $145$ , the digit $5$ represents $5$ ones, as it is in a different place value column.

Digits should be read aloud from left to right. For numbers below $1000$ , the place value columns from left to right are hundreds, tens and ones. You can use a place value chart to show the digits separately.

Example 1

Write the number $512$ in a place value chart.

There are three digits, so separate the number into hundreds, tens and ones.

Number	Hundreds	Tens	Ones
$512$	$5$	$1$	$2$

Reading numbers up to 1000

Once you can identify the place value for each digit in a number, you can then write the number in words.

Example 2

Write the number $781$ in words.

There are $7$  hundreds, $8$  tens and $1$ ones, which can be written as:

Seven hundred and eighty-one.

Ordering numbers up to 1000

To compare two numbers, place them both in a place value chart. Compare the digit on the left hand side to see which number is bigger. If this digit is the same, move right to the next place value column and see which number is bigger. Continue this process until you reach your answer.

Example 3

Which number is bigger: $345$  or $378$ ?

Firstly, put the numbers into a place value table.

Number	Hundreds	Tens	Ones
$345$	$3$	$4$	$5$
$378$	$3$	$7$	$8$

Compare the first digit of each number. In this example, the hundreds digit is the same. Therefore, you need to move to the next place value column, the tens. Comparing the digits in the tens column, $7$ is greater than $4$ .

Therefore $\underline{378 \gt 345}$ .