Module 1: Digits, Place Value, and Reading and Writing Numbers
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3. Understand How to Read and Write Decimal Numbers Less Than 1.
Next we will learn how to correctly read and write decimal numbers less than 1. Let’s begin
with 0.053 which represents a number less than 1.
To write a decimal number less than 1 using words, we first need to define the place value of
the digit furthest to the right. In the number 0.053, the digit 3 is in the rightmost place. Using
our place value pattern, we can see that the digit 3 is in the one-thousandths place.
0.0 5 3
Next, we write down the number to the right of the decimal point. In this case we have the
number 53. Because the 53 terminates in the one-thousandths place, it means we have
“fifty-three one-thousandths”. So we write this number using words as follows.
Fifty-three one-thousandths.
Recall that a decimal number represents a fraction. Therefore we can express 0.053 as 53
1,000
and both are written using words as “fifty-three one-thousandths”. Notice that the numerator
of the fraction 53
1,000 is represented by the numeric value to the right of the decimal point.
Note: In many cases it is acceptable to write down “fifty-three thousandths” rather than
“fifty-three one-thousandths”. Check with your instructor to see if this is acceptable.
Now let’s try the number 0.01089 which is again a number less than 1.
0.0 1 0 8 9
In this case, the number to the right of the decimal point is 1089 and it terminates in the
hundred-thousandths place. Notice that the digit 9 is in the rightmost place. This means we
have “one thousand eighty-nine hundred-thousandths”.
Therefore we can express 0.01089 as 1,089
100,000 and write the number using words as follows.
One thousand eighty-nine hundred-thousandths.
Module 1: Digits, Place Value, and Reading and Writing Numbers
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Example 2: Write each of the following numbers using words.
a) 52,003
b) 907,000
c) 84,000,250
d) 108,581,609,004
e) 0.9
f) 0.085
g) 0.0030
h) 0.00000406
Notice in parts a) – d), the numbers given are whole numbers.
Remember, when writing whole numbers using words, we always include the periods(s) in
our word statement with exception of the ones period.
a) 5 2, 0 0 3.
Fifty-two thousand, three.
b) 907,000.
Nine hundred seven thousand.
c) 84,000,250.
Eighty-four million, two hundred fifty.
d) 108,581,609,004.
One hundred eight billion, five hundred eighty-one million,
six hundred nine thousand, four.
Notice in parts e) – h), the numbers are less than 1.
To write a decimal number less than 1 using words, we first write down the numeric value
to the right of the decimal point, followed by the place value of the rightmost digit.
e) 0.9
Nine tenths.
f) 0.085
Eighty-five one-thousandths.
g) 0.0030
Thirty ten-thousandths.
h) 0.00000406
Four hundred six hundred-millionths.
Step-by-step explanation:
