Decimal Place ValueWhole numbers show whole amounts. The decimal point in a whole number always goes just to the right of the ones place. But, with whole numbers we don’t usually show the decimal point. It is implied.

Example123,456,789,321

OnesPlace

Decimal Point

How do we use numbers to show parts of a whole?

Example

one whole

Decimal Point

One whole dollar and twenty-five parts of a whole dollar:

1 25

twenty-five parts of one whole

The decimal point separates the whole amounts from the parts of a whole.

The place value names on the right side of the decimal point are:

tenthsIt takes tento makea whole.Think dimes.

hundredthsIt takesone hundredto makea whole.

Think pennies.

thousandthsIt takesone thousandto makea whole.

0.555

When you read a decimal number say “and” at the decimal point.

900,012.5“nine hundred thousand, twelve and five

tenths”

900,012.55“nine hundred thousand, twelve and fifty-

five hundredths”

900,012.555“nine hundred thousand, twelve and five

hundred fifty-five thousandths”