This free place value display spans from ten millions (TM) all the way down to thousandths (th). It provides students with a constant, visual reminder of the structure of our number system, reinforcing concepts that are fundamental to their understanding of maths.
One of the biggest advantages of this place value display is that it clarifies the idea of place value by showing how each place relates to the others.
Students often struggle with the concept that moving left increases a number’s value by a power of ten, while moving right decreases it by a factor of ten.
By having a display that visually represents each place – from 10,000,000 down to 0.001 – students can quickly grasp the relationships between positions and see how each digit’s place determines its value.
This clarity is especially helpful when students start working with larger numbers or decimals, which can initially feel abstract or intimidating.
Place value display
This place value display is also excellent for supporting mental maths and calculations. It helps students quickly locate the ‘neighbour’ positions, which is vital for understanding how to regroup or borrow, especially with decimals.
Moreover, having a full range from ten millions to thousandths prepares students for later concepts like rounding, estimating and even scientific notation.
By normalising these larger and smaller values early on, you set them up for success with advanced topics in KS3 and beyond.
Primary Maths Hub was founded in 2022 by Sarah Farrell and Andrew Jennings and offers high-quality maths resources. Follow on X at @PrimaryMathsHub. Download place value worksheets.
