Place Value to Millions

Understanding Big Numbers

When we write large numbers, we use commas to separate groups of three digits. This makes them easier to read!

Example: 123,456,789

Notice the commas? They separate the number into groups called periods.

What is a Period?

A period is a group of three digits in a number. Think of it like organizing your number into small chunks that are easier to understand.

Each period has the same pattern: hundreds, tens, ones - but at different sizes!

The Three Main Periods

Notice the pattern - every three places we group with a comma:

Ones period: Hundreds, Tens, Ones

Thousands period: Hundred thousands, Ten thousands, Thousands

Millions period: Hundred millions, Ten millions, Millions

Each place is 10 times smaller as you move to the right!

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Let's See It with a Real Number

Take the number: 345,678,912

We can break it down by periods:

Millions Period: 345
→ Three hundred forty-five million

Thousands Period: 678
→ Six hundred seventy-eight thousand

Ones Period: 912
→ Nine hundred twelve

Read together:
"Three hundred forty-five million, six hundred seventy-eight thousand, nine hundred twelve"

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Place Value Chart

Here's how each digit's position gives it value (reading left to right):

Hundred   Ten      Millions | Hundred    Ten       Thousands | Hundreds  Tens  Ones
Millions  Millions          | Thousands  Thousands           |
   3        4         5     |    6         7          8      |    9       1     2

Breaking it down (left to right):

• The 3 is in the hundred millions place = 300,000,000
• The 4 is in the ten millions place = 40,000,000
• The 5 is in the millions place = 5,000,000
• The 6 is in the hundred thousands place = 600,000
• The 7 is in the ten thousands place = 70,000
• The 8 is in the thousands place = 8,000
• The 9 is in the hundreds place = 900
• The 1 is in the tens place = 10
• The 2 is in the ones place = 2

Add them all up: 300,000,000 + 40,000,000 + 5,000,000 + 600,000 + 70,000 + 8,000 + 900 + 10 + 2 = 345,678,912

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The Pattern Within Each Period

Within every period, the same pattern repeats (reading left to right):

1. Hundreds (leftmost digit in the period) - the biggest
2. Tens (middle digit) - 10 times smaller than hundreds
3. Ones (rightmost digit) - 10 times smaller than tens

Example in the Thousands period (678):

• 6 is in the hundred thousands place (600,000)
• 7 is in the ten thousands place (70,000)
• 8 is in the thousands place (8,000)

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Why Commas Matter

Commas help us read numbers correctly!

Without commas: 123456789
❌ Hard to read! Is this 1 million or 12 million?

With commas: 123,456,789
✅ Easy to read! "One hundred twenty-three million, four hundred fifty-six thousand, seven hundred eighty-nine"

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Quick Tips

✓ Read from left to right, period by period
✓ Say the period name after reading each group (millions, thousands)
✓ Don't say "ones" at the end - just read the last three digits
✓ Commas separate every 3 digits starting from the right

Practice: Try reading these numbers out loud!

• 5,432,100 ("Five million, four hundred thirty-two thousand, one hundred")
• 78,900,456 ("Seventy-eight million, nine hundred thousand, four hundred fifty-six")
• 123,000,789 ("One hundred twenty-three million, seven hundred eighty-nine")