Primary 5 Foundation maths · Whole numbers · About 12 minutes
Read and write numbers to 10 million
Say the number in place-value groups, then write a digit for every place, including the empty ones.
Start the interactive lesson →Open practice activity
What you will learn
- Read and write numbers to 10 million
Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.
Before you start
Every digit has a job
The counters are sorted into columns. Each column tells us the size of its units.
The number at the top of each column is the value of one counter in that column.
The counters are sorted into columns. Each column tells us the size of its units.
“Three thousand and five” names thousands and ones only. The empty hundreds and tens still need zeros: 3005.
The number at the top of each column is the value of one counter in that column.
Look at the left column. Its digit counts the biggest units in this number.
A digit tells us how many units there are. Its position tells us what size those units are; that is why a zero can matter.
The number at the top of each column is the value of one counter in that column.
Now read the value of every column. A zero keeps an empty place ready.
3040201
A digit tells us how many units there are. Its position tells us what size those units are; that is why a zero can matter.
The number at the top of each column is the value of one counter in that column.
Put the values together. These are different ways to describe the very same number.
3000000 + 40000 + 200 + 1
A digit tells us how many units there are. Its position tells us what size those units are; that is why a zero can matter.
What did the picture help us see?
Put the values together. These are different ways to describe the very same number.
Worked example: A new example, together
Write 2,008,373 in words.
| Place | Digit | Value |
|---|---|---|
| millions | 2 | 2000000 |
| hundred thousands | 0 | 0 |
| ten thousands | 0 | 0 |
| thousands | 8 | 8000 |
| hundreds | 3 | 300 |
| tens | 7 | 70 |
| ones | 3 | 3 |
Read one place at a time. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Say the number in place-value groups, then write a digit for every place, including the empty ones.
Number words and numerals describe the same groups of place-value units.
Read one place at a time Place Digit Value millions 2 2000000 hundred thousands 0 0 ten thousands 0 0 thousands 8 8000 hundreds 3 300 tens 7 70 ones 3 3 Read one place at a time. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Read the largest place-value group first, then each smaller group.
Read one place at a time Place Digit Value millions 2 2000000 hundred thousands 0 0 ten thousands 0 0 thousands 8 8000 hundreds 3 300 tens 7 70 ones 3 3 Write 2,008,373 in words.
two million eight thousand three hundred and seventy-three
Read one place at a time. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Read the largest place-value group first, then each smaller group.
Read one place at a time Place Digit Value millions 2 2000000 hundred thousands 0 0 ten thousands 0 0 thousands 8 8000 hundreds 3 300 tens 7 70 ones 3 3 Read one place at a time. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Empty columns still need zeroes in the numeral.
Read one place at a time Place Digit Value millions 2 2000000 hundred thousands 0 0 ten thousands 0 0 thousands 8 8000 hundreds 3 300 tens 7 70 ones 3 3 Read one place at a time. Read each value with the heading above its column.
2,008,373 is two million eight thousand three hundred and seventy-three.
Read one place at a time Place Digit Value millions 2 2000000 hundred thousands 0 0 ten thousands 0 0 thousands 8 8000 hundreds 3 300 tens 7 70 ones 3 3 Read one place at a time. Read each value with the heading above its column.
Check the result against the question we started with.
Read the result back: two million eight thousand three hundred and seventy-three = 2008373.
We found two million eight thousand three hundred and seventy-three. Number words and numerals describe the same groups of place-value units.
Read one place at a time Place Digit Value millions 2 2000000 hundred thousands 0 0 ten thousands 0 0 thousands 8 8000 hundreds 3 300 tens 7 70 ones 3 3
Common mistakes to discuss
- Writing what you hear. “Three thousand and five” is 3005, not 30005. Each group of three digits needs its empty places filled with zeros.
Check your understanding
- Read and write numbers to 10 million
- write a number from its name, keeping every place filled
- check the answer against the original quantities and units
Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.
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