Basic 5 · Mathematics · Counting, Representation and Cardinality
Reading and Writing Numbers up to 1,000,000
In this topic you will read, write and represent numbers up to one million using place value, words and expanded form.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Read and write numbers up to 1,000,000 in figures and words
- State the place value and value of each digit
- Write numbers in expanded form
What you already know
- Numbers up to 100,000 (Basic 4)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Number
- Sub-strand
- Counting, Representation and Cardinality
- Indicator
- B5.1.1.1.1 – Read and write numbers in figures and words up to 1,000,000
Introduction
Ghana's 2021 census counted more than 30 million people. The Greater Accra Region alone has over 5 million. To read and write such large numbers, we must understand place value up to the millions.
1. The Place Value Chart up to Millions
Our number system is based on tens. Each place is ten times bigger than the place on its right. We group digits in threes from the right, separated by commas, so that big numbers are easy to read.
| Hundred thousands | Ten thousands | Thousands | Hundreds | Tens | Ones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 6 |
738,256 is read as "seven hundred and thirty-eight thousand, two hundred and fifty-six".
| Digit | Place | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | hundred thousands | 700,000 |
| 3 | ten thousands | 30,000 |
| 8 | thousands | 8,000 |
| 2 | hundreds | 200 |
| 5 | tens | 50 |
| 6 | ones | 6 |
One million is written as 1,000,000. It is ten hundred thousands, or one thousand thousands.
2. Writing Numbers in Words
To write a big number in words, read the thousands group first, say "thousand", then read the last three digits.
Example 1
Write 405,070 in words.
- Split into groups: 405 | 070
- 405 thousand = four hundred and five thousand
- 070 = seventy
Answer: Four hundred and five thousand and seventy
Example 2
Write "nine hundred thousand, three hundred and eight" in figures.
- Nine hundred thousand = 900,000
- Three hundred and eight = 308
Answer: 900,000 + 308 = 900,308
3. Expanded Form
Expanded form: A number written as the sum of the values of its digits.
Example 3
Write 640,903 in expanded form.
- 6 hundred thousands = 600,000
- 4 ten thousands = 40,000
- 0 thousands = 0
- 9 hundreds = 900
- 0 tens = 0
- 3 ones = 3
Answer: 600,000 + 40,000 + 900 + 3
Common mistake: When a place is empty, write 0 in figures. "Two hundred thousand and five" is 200,005, not 2,005.
Remember: Separate groups of three digits with commas, counting from the right.
New words
- place value
- The value a digit has because of its position.
- million
- One thousand thousands; 1,000,000.
- hundred thousand
- 100,000.
- expanded form
- A number shown as the sum of its place values.
- digit
- One of the symbols 0 to 9.
- period
- A group of three digits in a number.
Summary
- Each place is ten times the place on its right.
- Group digits in threes with commas to read big numbers.
- Expanded form shows the value of every non-zero digit.
- Use zeros to hold empty places.
Class activity: Census Numbers
- Use the place-value cards to build a 6-digit number.
- Read it aloud and write it in words and expanded form.
- Find the population of your region (ask your teacher) and write it in words.
You need: Bundles of sticks, Place-value chart on manila card, Locally made digit cards
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. What is the value of 4 in 482,315?
- A. 400,000
- B. 40,000
- C. 4,000
- D. 400
Show answer
Answer: 400,0004 is in the hundred thousands place.2. Which is "three hundred and seven thousand and twelve" in figures?
- A. 307,012
- B. 370,012
- C. 307,120
- D. 37,012
Show answer
Answer: 307,012307 thousand and 12.3. How many hundred thousands make one million?
- A. 10
- B. 100
- C. 1,000
- D. 1
Show answer
Answer: 1010 × 100,000 = 1,000,000.4. 1,000,000 has seven digits.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: True1 followed by six zeros.5. In 950,621, the 5 means 5,000.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseThe 5 is in the ten thousands place: 50,000.6. 500,000 + 20,000 + 3,000 + 40 + 1 = ______
Show answer
Answer: 523,041Add the place values.7. Write 608,450 in words.
Show answer
Answer: Six hundred and eight thousand, four hundred and fifty608 thousand and 450.8. What number is 10,000 more than 995,000?
Show answer
Answer: 1,005,000995,000 + 10,000 = 1,005,000.
Homework
- Write the population of Ghana's ten largest towns (from a book or your teacher) in words and in expanded form.