FRACTIONS, DECIMALS AND PERCENTAGES

Place Value

Learn the reliable method for place value, then apply it to 11+ exam-style questions.

1 · WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The idea

A decimal digit's value depends on its position relative to the decimal point.

Picture itSee each decimal digit hold its place
2 · THE METHOD

Follow these steps

  1. Locate the decimal point.
  2. Name the column: tenths, hundredths or thousandths.
  3. Write the digit's full value, including zero placeholders.
3 · WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action

Example 1

A digital scale displays 30.459 kg. What is the value of the digit 9?

  1. The digit 9 is in the thousandths column, so its value is 0.009.
Answer: 0.009
Example 2

The digit 8 has value 0.08 in 57.884. The number is multiplied by 10 and then 0.01 is added. What is the value of that same digit in the result?

  1. Multiplying 57.884 by 10 gives 578.84.
  2. Adding 0.01 gives 578.85 without changing the 8 in the tenths column, so its value is 0.8.
Answer: 0.8
4 · ELEVENSPRINT TIP

A useful shortcut

Write the digit's full value, including zero placeholders.

5 · COMMON MISTAKES

Watch out for these

6 · TRY IT YOURSELF

Three fresh questions

Ready to check the method? You will get three fresh, validated questions.