Worked example
29 October 2026
Children often see numbers written in two ways: as digits and as words. Understanding how to write numbers in words is a key skill for 11+ maths and helps with reading word problems. This example shows how to turn a three-digit number into words, following British English rules.
Example question
Write the number 247 in words and in digits.
Step 1: Look at the number 247. The 2 is in the hundreds, the 4 is in the tens, and the 7 is in the ones.
Step 2: Write the hundreds part. 2 in the hundreds is 'two hundred'.
Step 3: Write the tens and ones. 47 is 'forty-seven'. Remember to use a hyphen between 'forty' and 'seven'.
Step 4: Put it all together. In British English, write 'two hundred and forty-seven'.
The answer is: 247 in words is 'two hundred and forty-seven'. In digits, it is 247.
| Place | Value | Word |
|---|---|---|
| Hundreds | 2 | two hundred |
| Tens and Ones | 47 | forty-seven |
| Full Number | 247 | two hundred and forty-seven |
Now your child can spot the hundreds, tens and ones in any number and write it out in words correctly. They will also notice the use of 'and' and the hyphen in British English. Similar questions are ready to practise, just like on maths.com uk, so your child can get confident with this skill.
