Decimals are an important part of math, and understanding their place value is key to working with them. The tens place is one of the many positions in a decimal that can affect its value. In this article, we’ll explain what the tens place is and how it works in decimals.
What is a Decimal?
A decimal is a way of writing a part of a whole number. It is written using a decimal point to separate the whole number from its parts. For example, the number 4.32 is a decimal because it represents four whole units and 32 hundredths of a unit.
Decimals are useful for representing measurements that are not whole numbers. For example, the length of a pencil might be 8.5 centimeters, or the weight of a bag of apples might be 1.25 kilograms.
What is Place Value?
Place value is the idea that the position of a digit in a number determines its value. For example, in the number 245, the digit 4 is in the tens place, and its value is 4 times 10, or 40. The digit 5 is in the ones place, and its value is just 5.
In decimal, the place value works the same way. Each digit to the right of the decimal point has a place value that is 10 times smaller than the one to its left. The first position to the right of the decimal point is the tenths place, the second position is the hundredths place, and so on.
What is the Tens Place?
The tens place is the second position to the left of the decimal point. It represents the number of groups of 10 in a decimal. For example, in the number 45.32, the digit 4 is in the tens place, and its value is 4 times 10, or 40.
The tens place is important because it helps us understand the relative size of different decimals. For example, the digit in the tens place of 45.0 is 4, which is ten times greater than the digit in the tens place of 4.5, which is 0. This means that 45.0 is ten times greater than 4.5.
How to Identify the Tens Place
Identifying the tens place in a decimal is simple. Start at the decimal point and count two digits to the left. The digit in that position is the digit in the tens place. For example, in decimal 12.345, the digit 1 is in the tens place because it is two digits to the left of the decimal point.
In Conclusion
The tens place is an important part of decimals and place value. By understanding what it is and how it works, you can better understand and work with decimals. Remember that the tens place represents the number of groups of 10 in a decimal and that it is the second position to the left of the decimal point. With this knowledge, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a decimal expert!
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