Number Expression: Standard, Word, and Expanded Form

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

You already know a few ways to communicate a number! For example, by writing 142, you are expressing that number in its standard form.

You can write the number 142 in words. This is called word form.

You also know you can communicate the number 142 by drawing a picture. You could draw 142 individual objects.

You can also express 142 by using place value blocks and grouping the number into hundreds, tens, and ones.

Remembering what we know about place value, we can also express the number 142 in expanded form. For example, if we look at our place value blocks, we notice that there are one hundred-blocks, four ten-blocks, and two one-blocks.

One hundred-block equals 100. Four ten-blocks equals 40. Two one-blocks equals 2. If we add those values together, we have a sum of 142!

So, by writing the number in expanded form, we are expressing the value of the number by showing how many hundreds, tens, and ones make up the total value of the number.

Let's look at all of the forms of the number 142:

Now, let's try finding the different forms of even larger numbers!

Let's look at the number 25,736.

We already know the standard form.

Next, let's find the word form for 25,736.

The best trick to finding the correct word form of a number is to say it out loud and listen to how you say it.

You notice a comma in the number, so you know you are in the thousands place. To start, you would say twenty-five thousand.

When you get to the comma, you now know you are now in the hundreds place. You see the number seven hundred thirty-six.

Now, just put the two parts together, and you have twenty-five thousand, seven hundred thirty-six.

As you write the number, make sure you place the comma back in the same place.

Lastly, we need to find the expanded form for 25,736.

Let's look at 25,736 in a place value chart.

• The 6 is in the ones place. So, if we picture our place value blocks, there would be six one-blocks.
• The 3 is in the tens place, so there would be three ten-blocks.
• The 7 is in the hundreds place, so there would be seven hundred-blocks.
• The 5 is in the thousands place, so there would be five thousand-blocks.
• Last, the 2 is in the ten thousands place. You know the drill by now, there would be two ten thousand-blocks!

We can now look at our place value chart and add all of our place values together to show 25,736 in expanded form.

Our Number Forms Chart is now complete!

• Want to practice on your own?

Move to the Got It? section to try and find the different forms of numbers!