Decimal Numbers: Thousandths

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

A decimal number is a number that contains a decimal point (.).

Numbers after the decimal point have a different value from the numbers before the decimal point. Each place value position has a specific value.

Take some time to review place value of whole numbers and decimals with a video, Math Antics - Decimal Place Value. As you watch the video (below), write down the answers to the following questions:

• What are the three place value spots to the right of the decimal point?
• When reading a decimal number, what word is read for the decimal point?
• Are decimal numbers greater than or less than whole numbers? For example, is 0.50 greater than or less than 1.50?

Math Antics - Decimal Place Value:

Decimal numbers are used to write large and small numbers.

Digits to the left of a decimal point show whole numbers, often greater than one. Digits to the right of a decimal point show numbers less than one.

The decimal point goes in between the ones place and the tenths place. When reading a decimal number, the word "and" is usually used to indicate the location of the decimal point.

Notice that the place values to the right of the decimal point are written with a “ths” at the end of the word. The decimal places to the right of the decimal are the fraction part of the number.

Decimals can be thought of as a fraction where the denominator is a number such as 10, 100, or 1000.

Example

In the number 16.875, name the digit in each place value spot using the place value chart.

• tenths? 8
• thousandths? 5
• hundredths? 7
• ones? 6
• tens? 1

Example

Take a look at the problem from the beginning of the lesson:

Jackson’s bag of candy weighed 1.15 pounds.

• How do you read the amount of candy Jackson had as a decimal number?

When reading a decimal number:

• read the whole-number part first.
• say “and” at the decimal point, then read the fraction part, which is the part to the right of the decimal.
• for the fraction part, read the digits as they appear, then say the place value of the last digit. The last digit of 1.15 is 5 and it is in the hundredths place.

1.15 is read as one and fifteen hundredths.

• Can you name the three decimal places after the decimal point?
• What is the place value to the left of the decimal called?

In the Got It? section, you will practice place value!