Prior to learning how to write numbers in expanded form, let us understand the term expanded form first. Writing a number in expanded form just means that we are showing the value of each digit in that number.
This form is handy because it shows what a number really means by defining each of its digits.
Formula to Write Numbers in Expanded Form.
- First you need to know the place value of each digit in the number.
- Then their total value, which is what expansion of numbers is based on.
Total value is the product of the digit and its place value.
Example 1:
Expand 3,532.
3 thousands
5 hundreds
3 tens
2 ones
Therefore, to expand this number we multiply each number by its place value.
3 x 1,000
= 3,0000
5 x 100
= 500
3 x 10
= 30
2 x 1
= 2
Hence 3,532 in expanded form is;
3000
500
30
2
Example 2:
Expand 212,786
2 hundreds of thousand
1 tens of thousand
2 thousands
7 hundreds
8 tens
6 ones
To expand this number we multiply each number by its place value.
2 x 100,000
= 200,000
1 x 10,000
= 10,000
2 x 1,000
=2,000
7 x 100
= 700
8 x 10
= 80
6 x 1
= 6
Hence 212786 in expanded form is;
200,000
10,000
2,000
700
80
6
