Place value
Last updated
Place value is the idea that a digit's value depends on its position in a number, such as ones, tens or hundreds.
Topic: Math instruction
In plain terms
In 352, the 3 means three hundreds, the 5 means five tens and the 2 means two ones. Understanding place value is essential for regrouping in addition and subtraction, multiplying multi-digit numbers, rounding and decimals. Students who memorize steps without place value understanding often make errors like writing 1012 for 47 + 65.
How it shows up in an IEP
Goals can target representing numbers with base-ten blocks, writing numbers in expanded form, or explaining regrouping, often taught through a concrete to representational to abstract sequence.
Example
A third grader builds 146 with base-ten blocks, writes 100 + 40 + 6, and explains that trading 10 ones makes one ten when adding.
Related terms
- Number senseNumber sense is an intuitive understanding of numbers, their sizes, their relationships and how they change when combined.
- CRA (concrete-representational-abstract)CRA is a teaching sequence that moves from hands-on objects to drawings to numbers and symbols, so students understand math before working abstractly.
- Math fact fluencyMath fact fluency is the ability to recall basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts quickly and accurately.
- DyscalculiaDyscalculia is a specific learning disability in math that affects number sense, learning math facts and accurate, fluent calculation.
On IEP Atlas
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