Place Value of 173.8

Every number consists of digits in specific positions that determine its value. The number 173.8 has a unique place value breakdown that helps us understand how each digit contributes to the overall number.

Place Value Breakdown for 173.8

Whole Number Part

HundredsTensOnes
3

What is the place of 3 in 173.8

7

What is the place of 7 in 173.8

1

What is the place of 1 in 173.8

Decimal Part

Tenths
8

What is the place of 8 in 173.8

What Does This Mean?

In our base-10 number system, each position represents a different power of 10:

  • Digits to the left of the decimal point represent whole numbers (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.)
  • Digits to the right of the decimal point represent fractions (tenths, hundredths, thousandths, etc.)
  • Each position's value is 10 times greater than the position to its right

Expanded Form

When we write 173.8 in expanded form, we show exactly how each digit contributes to the total value:

3 × 100 + 7 × 101 + 1 × 102 + 8 × 10-1

Real-World Applications

The number 173.8 could be used in various real-world scenarios:

Currency
$173.8

Measurement
173.8 meters

Scientific Data
173.8 units

Academic Scores
173.8 points

Teaching Tips

Understanding place value is fundamental to mathematics. Here are some tips for educators:

  • Use physical manipulatives like base-10 blocks to represent different place values
  • Practice reading large numbers by breaking them into groups of three digits
  • Compare numbers with the same digits in different orders to highlight place value
  • Connect place value to everyday contexts like money and measurement