Class 3 - Maths - Place Value

Learning Objectives

Understand the ones, tens and hundreds places in a number.
Read and write 3-digit and 4-digit numbers correctly.
Write numbers in expanded form.
Compare numbers using >, < and = signs.
Arrange numbers in ascending and descending order.

Let Us Begin!

Meena went to a shop and saw a price tag that read Rs 345. Her teacher asked, "What does each digit in 345 mean?"

The 3 stands for 3 hundreds = 300. The 4 stands for 4 tens = 40. The 5 stands for 5 ones = 5.

So, 345 = 300 + 40 + 5. Every digit in a number has a place and a value. This is called place value.

Understanding Place Value

Ones, Tens and Hundreds

Every number is made up of digits. The position of a digit tells us its value.

Hundreds (H)	Tens (T)	Ones (O)
3	4	5
= 300	= 40	= 5

The digit on the right is in the ones place. The next digit to the left is in the tens place. The next one is in the hundreds place.

Think about it: In the number 208, what is the value of the digit 0? It is 0 tens, which means zero!

4-Digit Numbers (Thousands)

When we count beyond 999, we get 1000 (one thousand). A 4-digit number has a thousands place too.

Thousands (Th)	Hundreds (H)	Tens (T)	Ones (O)
2	5	1	6
= 2000	= 500	= 10	= 6

So, 2516 = 2000 + 500 + 10 + 6. This is the expanded form.

Expanded Form

Writing a number as the sum of the values of each digit is called expanded form.

Example: 763 = 700 + 60 + 3

Example: 4081 = 4000 + 0 + 80 + 1

Think about it: What is the expanded form of your house number or pin code?

Comparing Numbers

We use three symbols to compare numbers:

> means "greater than" (example: 546 > 398)
< means "less than" (example: 210 < 312)
= means "equal to" (example: 450 = 450)

To compare, first check the number of digits. A 4-digit number is always greater than a 3-digit number. If digits are the same count, compare from the leftmost digit.

Ascending and Descending Order

Ascending order means smallest to largest: 125, 312, 478, 590.

Descending order means largest to smallest: 590, 478, 312, 125.

Key Words and Meanings

Word	Meaning
Place value	The value of a digit based on its position in a number
Ones place	The rightmost position in a number
Tens place	The second position from the right
Hundreds place	The third position from the right
Expanded form	Writing a number as the sum of the values of its digits
Ascending order	Arranging numbers from smallest to largest
Descending order	Arranging numbers from largest to smallest

Examples

Example 1: Writing the Expanded Form

Write the expanded form of 629.

629 = 600 + 20 + 9

Example 2: Finding Place Value

What is the place value of 7 in 3725?

The digit 7 is in the hundreds place. Its place value is 700.

Example 3: Comparing Numbers

Compare 482 and 519.

Both are 3-digit numbers. Compare the hundreds: 4 < 5. So, 482 < 519.

Key Points to Remember

The value of a digit depends on its place (position) in the number.
Ones = 1, Tens = 10, Hundreds = 100, Thousands = 1000.
Expanded form breaks a number into the sum of its place values.
To compare numbers, first check the number of digits, then compare from the left.
Ascending = smallest first. Descending = largest first.
The digit 0 in any place means that place has no value, but it holds the position.

Practice Questions

A. Fill in the Blanks

In 572, the digit 5 is in the place.
The expanded form of 836 is .
The place value of 4 in 1463 is .
The smallest 3-digit number is .
The largest 4-digit number is .

B. Multiple Choice Questions

What is the place value of 6 in 4672?
(a) 6(b) 60(c) 600(d) 6000
Which number is greater: 789 or 798?
(a) 789(b) 798(c) Both are equal(d) Cannot tell
The expanded form of 3050 is:
(a) 300 + 50(b) 3000 + 50(c) 3000 + 500(d) 3000 + 5

C. Write in Expanded Form

947 =
5208 =

D. Arrange in Order

Ascending order: 415, 154, 541, 145 →
Descending order: 3200, 2300, 3020, 2030 →

E. Compare Using >, < or =

365 356
1000 999
4820 4820

Think and Do -- Fun Activity

Number Hunt: Look around your house for numbers -- on a calendar, a newspaper, a bill, or a book page. Write down any five 3-digit or 4-digit numbers you find.

1. ______________ Expanded form: __________________________

2. ______________ Expanded form: __________________________

3. ______________ Expanded form: __________________________

4. ______________ Expanded form: __________________________

5. ______________ Expanded form: __________________________

Now arrange all five numbers in ascending order: ___________________________________

Mathematics -- Class 3

Mathematics -- Class 3 (continued)