In a whole number every digit is worth something different depending on where it sits. Reading from the right the places go ones, tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousands, hundred thousands, millions — so in 4 386 215 the 8 is not worth 8, it is worth 80 000. Keep three ideas apart: the FACE value is the digit itself, the PLACE value is what one of that place is worth, and the VALUE is the two multiplied together. Big numbers are written with a space every three digits, which is also what makes them readable — and an empty place still needs a 0 to hold it, or every digit above it slides down. Rounding uses one digit only: look at the digit immediately to the right of the place you are rounding to, and round up if it is 5 or more.
Worked example
Problem In the number 4 386 215, what is the value of the digit 8?
