Grade 3 Mathematics Numbers – Place Value Up To Thousand Notes

Mathematics — Numbers

Subtopic: Place Value Up To Thousand (Age 8)

Place value helps us know the value of each digit in a number. We read numbers from thousands, hundreds, tens, to ones.

Place Value Chart

Example 1: 1 2 3 4

Read: "one thousand, two hundred and thirty-four".

Expanded form: 1 000 + 200 + 30 + 4 = 1 234

Example with Blocks (visual)

How to read and write numbers

• Start from the left: thousands → hundreds → tens → ones.
• For 3-digit numbers (e.g. 567): 5 hundreds, 6 tens, 7 ones. Write as 500 + 60 + 7.
• For 1 000 say "one thousand". Example: 1 000 = one thousand.
• Use commas or spaces for large numbers in writing: 1 234 or 1,234.

Try these (work out on paper)

1. Write the place value of the digit 7 in 3 7 5.
2. Write 846 in expanded form.
3. Which is larger: 789 or 798?
4. Write in words: 1 205.
5. Make the number with: 1 thousand, 4 hundreds, 2 tens and 5 ones.

Answers

1. In 3 7 5, the 7 is in the tens place → 7 tens = 70.
2. 846 = 800 + 40 + 6.
3. 798 is larger (compare hundreds → tens → ones: both have 7 hundreds, but 9 tens > 8 tens).
4. 1 205 = one thousand, two hundred and five.
5. 1 000 + 400 + 20 + 5 = 1 425 → number is 1 425.

Tips for learners

• Use place-value cards or draw boxes for thousands, hundreds, tens, ones and put digits inside each box.
• When comparing numbers, always look from the left (highest place) first.
• Relate to money: Ksh 1 000 is one thousand shillings, Ksh 100 is one hundred shillings, etc.
• Practice with real objects: bundles of 10 sticks, groups of 100 small papers, and single items.