Understand the idea.
A new place on the left
When is added to , all the smaller places fill up and make . The new ten-thousands place sits to the left of thousands. Ten thousands have the same value as one ten-thousand.
Read a large number in two parts: the thousands, then the last three digits. In , read thousand followed by . The comma separates these parts; it is not a digit.
Build and read carefully
A zero holds an empty place so the other digits stay in the correct columns. In , the empty thousands and hundreds places need zeros; the means three tens.
To write a number you hear, first identify the thousands part. Then fill the hundreds, tens and ones places in order, including any zeros. Read your completed number aloud to check that it matches.
See the method in action.
Read a five-digit number
Read 14,206 in words.
Worked solution
- 1
Separate the thousands from the last three digits.
The comma groups the last three places together.
- 2
Read the smaller part.
There are two hundreds, no tens and six ones.
- 3
Join the two number names.
Fourteen thousand followed by two hundred and six gives fourteen thousand two hundred and six.
Fourteen thousand two hundred and six.
Write a spoken number
Write twenty-three thousand and forty in digits.
Worked solution
- 1
Write the thousands part.
Twenty-three thousand means twenty-three groups of one thousand.
- 2
Place forty in the tens column.
There are no hundreds or ones in forty.
- 3
Combine the parts.
The zero in the hundreds place keeps four in the tens place.
23,040
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
What number comes immediately after 19,999?
Show answer & reasoning
20,000
. Each filled place exchanges into the next place, completing twenty thousand.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- Write 12,418 in words.
- Write thirty-one thousand two hundred and five in digits.
- Write the number just before 10,000.
- Write the next three numbers: .
- A town has 18 thousands, 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 6 ones in its population count. Write the population.
- Mila writes twenty thousand and seven as 20,070. Explain the mistake and write the correct number.
Read the worked solutions
- Write 12,418 in words.
Read 12 thousands, then 418.
Twelve thousand four hundred and eighteen. - Write thirty-one thousand two hundred and five in digits.
31 thousands plus 205 gives 31,205.
31,205 - Write the number just before 10,000.
Subtract one from 10,000.
9,999 - Write the next three numbers: .
Increase by one each time. Crossing 15,999 changes the thousands part.
- A town has 18 thousands, 3 hundreds, 2 tens and 6 ones in its population count. Write the population.
.
18,326 people - Mila writes twenty thousand and seven as 20,070. Explain the mistake and write the correct number.
; 20,070 means twenty thousand and seventy.
The seven must be in the ones place. The number is 20,007.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 / SA Curriculum Mathematics
Numbers beyond 10,000; place value; ordering; estimating quantities and answers.
Official curriculum source ↗