Decimal Place Value Basics: Step-by-Step Example
22 October 2026
Understanding decimal place value helps your child read and write numbers with confidence. When you know what each digit means, it becomes easier to solve questions about decimals. Here's a clear example to show how to work out the value of a digit in a decimal number.
Worked example
What is the value of the digit 7 in the number 3.742?
Step 1: Find the decimal point in 3.742.
Step 2: Look at the digit 7. It is the first digit after the decimal point.
Step 3: The first place after the decimal point is the tenths place.
Step 4: The digit 7 is worth seven tenths, or 0.7.
The correct answer is 0.7.
| Digit | Place Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Units | 3 |
| 7 | Tenths | 0.7 |
| 4 | Hundredths | 0.04 |
| 2 | Thousandths | 0.002 |
Key insight: Once your child can spot the place value of each digit, they can quickly find the value of any digit in a decimal. This is a key skill for 11+ maths, and your child can now try similar questions to build confidence.
