Exploring Numbers

Numbers are everywhere! In third grade, you'll learn how to read, write, and compare numbers up to 1,000 and beyond. Understanding how numbers are built helps you solve all kinds of math problems.

Place Value Power

Each digit in a number has a special place and value. For example, in the number 427:

• The 4 is in the hundreds place, so it's worth 400.
• The 2 is in the tens place, so it's worth 20.
• The 7 is in the ones place, so it's worth 7.

Comparing and Ordering Numbers

You will learn to use symbols like \( < \), \( > \), and \( = \) to compare numbers and put them in order from least to greatest or greatest to least.

Fun with Rounding

Rounding helps you estimate numbers quickly. If you're rounding 473 to the nearest ten, look at the ones place. Since it's 3, you round down to 470.

Why It Matters

Knowing place value makes all other math—like addition and subtraction—much easier!