Early Math · Grade 2

Hundreds, Tens and Ones: Place Value to 1,000

Quick answer

Ten tens make a hundred, the same way ten ones make a ten. In a three-digit number the digits count hundreds, tens and ones: 352 is 3 hundreds, 5 tens and 2 ones, or 300 + 50 + 2 in expanded form. A zero holds a place that has nothing in it, so 706 is 7 hundreds, 0 tens and 6 ones — a very different number from 76. To compare three-digit numbers, look at the hundreds first, then the tens, then the ones.

What you'll learn

  • Explain a hundred as ten tens
  • Read a three-digit number as hundreds, tens and ones
  • Write numbers to 1,000 as numerals, in words and in expanded form
  • Compare three-digit numbers with >, = and <

A hundred is ten tens

Ten ones make a ten. In the same way, ten tens make a hundred.

Ten tens and one hundred On top, ten rods of ten in a row. Below, one flat of a hundred: the same hundred cubes joined into one square.
Ten tens and one hundred

The flat is still 100100 small cubes: 1010 rows of 1010. It is only bundled so it is faster to count.

Hundreds, tens and ones

A three-digit number counts hundreds, tens and ones.

Three hundred fifty-two Base-ten blocks: three hundred flats, five rods of ten and two single cubes.
Three hundred fifty-two

There are 33 hundreds, 55 tens and 22 ones. That is 352352.

HundredsTensOnesNumber
335522352352
660044604604
881100810810
550000500500

The numbers 100100, 200200, 300300 up to 900900 are hundreds with no tens and no ones: 500500 is 55 hundreds.

Three ways to write a number

  • Numeral: 352352
  • Words: three hundred fifty-two
  • Expanded form: 300+50+2300 + 50 + 2

Expanded form writes what each digit is worth and adds them up.

Why a zero matters

Look at 706706. It has 77 hundreds, no tens and 66 ones.

The 00 holds the tens place open. Take it out and you get 7676: 77 tens and 66 ones. That is a much smaller number. A zero shows that a place is empty, so the other digits stay where they belong.

Compare three-digit numbers

Look at the hundreds first. More hundreds means a bigger number. If the hundreds match, look at the tens. If the tens match too, look at the ones.

Worked examples

Common mistakes

Practice problems

  1. How many hundreds, tens and ones are in 473473?

    Answer

    44 hundreds, 77 tens and 33 ones

    Full solution

    Read the digits from the left: hundreds, then tens, then ones.

  2. What number do these blocks show?

    What number is this? Base-ten blocks: two hundred flats, no rods and six single cubes.
    What number is this?
    Answer

    206206

    Full solution

    22 hundreds, 00 tens and 66 ones. The 00 holds the tens place: 206206.

  3. Write 658658 in expanded form.

    Answer

    600+50+8600 + 50 + 8

    Full solution

    The 66 is worth 600600, the 55 is worth 5050 and the 88 is worth 88.

  4. Write nine hundred thirty as a numeral.

    Answer

    930930

    Full solution

    99 hundreds and 33 tens, with 00 ones: 930930.

  5. How many tens make 100100?

    Answer

    1010

    Full solution

    A hundred is ten tens bundled together.

  6. Write 400+7400 + 7 as a numeral.

    Answer

    407407

    Full solution

    44 hundreds, no tens and 77 ones. Put a 00 in the tens place: 407407.

  7. Compare with >>, == or <<: 645  □  654645 \; \square \; 654

    Answer

    645<654645 < 654

    Full solution

    Both have 66 hundreds. Tens: 44 is less than 55.

  8. Compare with >>, == or <<: 812  □  799812 \; \square \; 799

    Answer

    812>799812 > 799

    Full solution

    88 hundreds is more than 77 hundreds. The tens and ones do not change that.

  9. How many hundreds are in 800800?

    Answer

    88

    Full solution

    800800 is 88 hundreds with 00 tens and 00 ones.

  10. Eva writes three hundred five as 30053005. What went wrong?

    Hint

    How many digits does a number in the hundreds have?

    Answer

    She wrote 300300 and then 55. The number is 305305.

    Full solution

    Three hundred five has 33 hundreds, 00 tens and 55 ones.

    That is three digits: 305305.

Frequently asked questions

What is a hundred?

Ten tens bundled together. It is also a hundred ones.

What does each digit in 352 mean?

The 3 is 3 hundreds, the 5 is 5 tens and the 2 is 2 ones. So 352 = 300 + 50 + 2.

What is expanded form?

A number written as the sum of what each digit is worth: 352 = 300 + 50 + 2.

Why is there a 0 in 706?

It shows there are no tens. Without it, the 7 would slide into the tens place and the number would be 76.

How do I compare 529 and 592?

The hundreds match, so compare the tens: 2 tens is less than 9 tens. So 529 < 592.

What to learn next

Standards alignment

This lesson covers the following Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1Number and Operations in Base TenUnderstand that the three digits of a three-digit number represent amounts of hundreds, tens, and ones; e.g., 706 equals 7 hundreds, 0 tens, and 6 ones. Understand the following as special cases:
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1aNumber and Operations in Base Ten100 can be thought of as a bundle of ten tens — called a "hundred."
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.1bNumber and Operations in Base TenThe numbers 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900 refer to one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, or nine hundreds (and 0 tens and 0 ones).
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.3Number and Operations in Base TenRead and write numbers to 1000 using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form.
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.2.NBT.A.4Number and Operations in Base TenCompare two three-digit numbers based on meanings of the hundreds, tens, and ones digits, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
For teachersTick to print a blank worksheet; leave it clear to print the lesson with the full answer key.