This is an interactive module that can help students with their understanding of multiplying numbers by powers of ten. This demonstration shows that it’s the digits not the decimal places that move.
Place value tells us how much each digit in a number is worth, depending on its position. For example, in the number 4,563:
4 is worth 4,000 because it’s in the thousands place.
5 is worth 500 because it’s in the hundreds place.
6 is worth 60 because it’s in the tens place.
3 is worth 3 because it’s in the ones place.
When you multiply or divide a number by 10, the digits move to new places.
Multiply by 10: Digits shift left, making the number bigger.
Divide by 10: Digits shift right, making the number smaller.
For example:
345 × 10 = 3,450
34.5 ÷ 10 = 3.45
Try multiplying and dividing numbers by 10 or 100 to see how the digits move and the number changes!
Learning place value is fun and helps you understand big numbers and small decimals. Keep practicing!