Naming the Place Value in Decimals: Step-by-Step Example
22 October 2026
Understanding decimal place value helps your child read and write numbers with confidence. When working with decimals, each digit has its own special place and value. This example shows how to spot the place value of a digit in a decimal number.
Worked example
Question: In the number 3.472, what is the place value of the digit 7?
Step 1: Find the decimal point. It is between the 3 and the 4.
Step 2: Count the digits to the right of the decimal point. The first digit is tenths, the second is hundredths, and the third is thousandths.
Step 3: The digit 7 is the second digit after the decimal point. This is the hundredths place.
Step 4: Write the value of the digit 7. It is 7 hundredths, or 0.07.
The correct answer is: The digit 7 is in the hundredths place and its value is 0.07.
| Digit | Place Value | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Tenths | 0.4 |
| 7 | Hundredths | 0.07 |
| 2 | Thousandths | 0.002 |
Key insight: Now your child can identify the place value of any digit in a decimal number and write its value correctly. The next step is to practise similar questions, building confidence for 11+ maths.
