Natural numbers and place value
Explain why the same digit represents different values in different positions.
Meaning
In base ten, 10 units of one place form 1 unit of the place immediately to its left. A digit and the value it represents are different.
Example
The 5 in 352 is in the tens place, so it represents 50. The 0 in 502 indicates no tens. 352 contains three hundreds, five tens, and two ones. The value of its 5 is therefore 5×10=50. The digit 5 is the same in 50 and 500, but its place value differs.
Practice for this concept
Scope and references
Topics
Ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, large numbers, base ten, digits versus place value, the role of zero
Learning goal
Explain why the same digit represents different values in different positions.
Helpful background
Explore counting individual objects and grouping equal numbers.
Place-value practice
Does not separately assess all large numbers or the role of zero.