Hundreds, tens and ones: what children learn
In the game, children balance the scales by partitioning, such as 345 = 300 + ? + 5. The Quick quiz asks 'What is the value of the digit in this number?' with four choices. The wrong answers include the digit itself and the digit in the wrong place, which are the most common mistakes. All numbers use three different digits so each question has only one correct answer.
Supports part of Common Core 2.NBT.A.1. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.
Common Core connection: 2.NBT.A.1. This is focused practice for part of the standard.
How to play
Make both sides of the scales equal. Tap the weight that fills the gap, or press 1 to 4. Each game has 8 questions and no timer. If a weight doesn't balance, the scales tip towards the heavier side and you get one more try. You get a point for each one balanced first time. For a quicker go, choose Quick quiz: 10 multiple-choice questions in 100 seconds (choose Relaxed for more time).
Step by step
- Know the three columns. From the right, the columns are ones, tens and hundreds. Each column is worth ten times the one to its right.
- Find the digit's column. In 482, the 8 is in the middle column, which is tens.
- Multiply by the column value. 8 tens is 80. A digit in the hundreds column is worth that many hundreds: 4 hundreds is 400.
- Partition the whole number. 482 = 400 + 80 + 2. Partitioning shows the value of every digit at once.
Worked examples
Example 1: What is the value of the 7 in 730?
Working: The 7 is in the hundreds column.
Answer: 700
Example 2: What is the value of the 4 in 941?
Working: The 4 is in the tens column, so it is worth 4 tens.
Answer: 40
Example 3: What is the value of the 2 in 512?
Working: The 2 is in the ones column.
Answer: 2
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Giving the digit instead of its value. Ask 'seven what?' Seven hundreds is 700.
- Losing track of zero as a place holder, as in 305. Use a place value chart; the 0 shows there are no tens.
- Reading the columns from the left as ones, tens, hundreds. Always start from the right-hand digit: that is the ones.
Activities to try at home
- Make three-digit amounts with dollar bills, dimes and pennies: $3.65 is 3 dollars, 6 dimes and 5 pennies.
- Read numbers on car number plates or page numbers and ask what a digit is worth.
- Roll three dice to make the largest and smallest three-digit numbers you can.
Ideas for the classroom
- Use base-10 blocks or place value counters to build numbers.
- Show the same number partitioned in different ways: 146 = 100 + 40 + 6 = 130 + 16.
- Ask students to make a number where the tens digit is worth 50 and the hundreds digit is worth 200.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a color-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
What is place value?
Place value means a digit is worth a different amount depending on its position. The 3 in 300 is worth more than the 3 in 30.
Does the game include zeros?
Numbers can contain a 0 (such as 730), but the game never asks for the value of the 0.
How should I choose this game for my learner?
Supports part of Common Core 2.NBT.A.1. This focused game does not cover the entire standard.