Understand the idea.
Standard expanded form
To partition a number, split it into amounts that add back to the original. Standard expanded form gives each non-zero digit its own place-value amount. In , the contributes , not just .
Write the parts from greatest to smallest, then add them to check. A zero placeholder contributes nothing, so a separate term is optional. Leaving out a non-zero place changes the total.
Flexible partitions
A flexible partition groups the same amount in a different way. For example, and . Choose parts that help with the calculation you are doing.
Regrouping exchanges equal amounts: one hundred is ten tens, and one thousand is ten hundreds. If you take one hundred out of the hundreds part, put ten tens into the tens part. The whole must stay unchanged.
See the method in action.
Expand by place
Write 58,126 in standard expanded form.
Worked solution
- 1
Read the two largest place values.
The first two digits count ten-thousands and thousands.
- 2
Read the remaining digit values.
Each remaining non-zero digit contributes its own place-value part.
- 3
Add the place-value parts.
Expanded form must rebuild the original number exactly.
50,000 + 8,000 + 100 + 20 + 6
Regroup a hundred
Show 4,206 using 41 hundreds, some tens and 6 ones.
Worked solution
- 1
Find the value already used by the hundreds and ones.
The question fixes 41 hundreds and 6 ones.
- 2
Find the amount still to be represented.
All the remaining value must be written as tens.
- 3
Exchange the remaining hundred for tens.
Ten tens have the same value as one hundred.
- 4
Check the full partition.
41 hundreds, 10 tens and 6 ones preserve the total.
41 hundreds + 10 tens + 6 ones
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
Complete: 6,300 = 6 thousands + ___ hundreds.
Show answer & reasoning
3
After is accounted for, remains. Since , the missing number is .
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions · 8 marks
Read the questions online
- Write 46,825 in standard expanded form.1 mark
- What number is ?1 mark
- Write 5,307 using hundreds, tens and ones.1 mark
- Complete: .1 mark
- Sam writes . Explain and correct the error.2 marks
- Give two different partitions of 9,020.2 marks
Read the worked solutions
Equivalent correct methods earn the corresponding marks. Include units where asked.
- Write 46,825 in standard expanded form.1 mark
Each part is the value of one non-zero digit.
- What number is ?1 mark
.
7,234 - Write 5,307 using hundreds, tens and ones.1 mark
5,300 is 53 hundreds; the remaining part is 7.
- Complete: .1 mark
, which is 11 tens.
11 - Sam writes . Explain and correct the error.2 marks
is 408, not 4,008.
The 4 means 4,000, so . - Give two different partitions of 9,020.2 marks
Both sums equal 9,020. Other equivalent partitions are valid.
For example, and .
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9; SA Curriculum Mathematics 2026
Whole-number revision; partitioning; rounding/estimating quantities; checking reasonable answers.
Official curriculum source ↗