Understanding the value of digits after the decimal point: tenths, hundredths, and thousandths.
Where your child meets this in real life: Reading prices (£4.99), measurements (1.75 m), and sports times (9.58 seconds)
SEAGReady breaks decimal place value into 3 steps, taught in order so each skill builds on the last.
Identify and express digits in the tenths place of a decimal number (e.g., 0.3 = 3 tenths)
Identify and express digits in both tenths and hundredths places (e.g., 0.34 = 3 tenths and 4 hundredths)
Identify and express digits in tenths, hundredths, and thousandths places (e.g., 0.456 = 4 tenths, 5 hundredths, and 6 thousandths)
Three free sample questions from our decimal place value course. Every question comes with a full explanation, and hints that guide without giving the answer away.
Sean ran a race in 0.8 seconds faster than his friend. What does the digit 8 represent in 0.8?
Answer: A. 8 tenths
The digit 8 is in the first position after the decimal point. The first position after the decimal point is called the tenths place. So 8 represents 8 tenths, which can also be written as 8/10.
Stuck? Start here: Look at where the 8 is positioned - is it before or after the decimal point?
Finn bought a pencil costing £0.35. What is the value of the digit 3?
Answer: A. 3 tenths
In 0.35, the digit 3 is in the first position after the decimal point. The first position is tenths, so 3 represents 3 tenths. The digit 5 is in the second position, which is hundredths.
Stuck? Start here: Count the positions after the decimal point. The 3 is in position 1, the 5 is in position 2.
Aoife measured a beetle that was 0.125 metres long. What is the value of the digit 5?
Answer: A. 5 thousandths
In 0.125: - Position 1: the 1 is in tenths - Position 2: the 2 is in hundredths - Position 3: the 5 is in thousandths So the 5 represents 5 thousandths.
Stuck? Start here: Count the positions after the decimal point: 1 is position 1, 2 is position 2, 5 is position 3.
This is the exact interactive worked example your child sees in SEAGReady. Step through it and watch the method build up.
Ciara ran a race in 0.7 seconds faster than her previous time.
What does the digit 7 represent in 0.7?
0.7
Step 1 of 4
Ciara ran a race in 0.7 seconds faster than her previous time.
What does the digit 7 represent in 0.7?
The 7 represents 7 tenths, or seven parts out of ten.
The key insight: The first column after the decimal point is always tenths!
Watch out: Saying 7 is just 'seven' with no place value. Every digit has a value based on its position.
These are the misconceptions we see most often in decimal place value, including the ones our practice questions are specifically designed to catch.
Struggling with decimal place value? The real gap is often in one of these earlier topics.
SEAGReady finds the exact step where your child gets stuck, teaches it with worked examples like the one above, and brings it back for review so it sticks.