Expanded Form

In this section, we continue to learn about place value and our number system. We will learn how to write a number in expanded form, also known as expanded notation. This method of writing a number emphasizes the place value of each and every digit of the number. This will help us to visually understand how each digit in a number gains its value. To write a number in expanded notation, we form the sum of each digit multiplied by its corresponding place value (ones, tens, hundreds, thousands,…).
Example 1: Write 548 in expanded form:
5 - Hundreds or 500
4 - Tens or 40
8 - Ones or 8
548 can be written in expanded form as: 500 + 40 + 8
Example 2: Write 16,274 in expanded form:
1 - Ten Thousands or 10,000
6 - Thousands or 6000
2 - Hundreds or 200
7 - Tens or 70
4 - Ones or 4
16,274 can be written in expanded form as: 10,000 + 6000 + 200 + 70 + 4
Example 3: Write 214,953 in expanded form:
2 - Hundred Thousands or 200,000
1 - Ten Thousands or 10,000
4 - Thousands or 4000
9 - Hundreds or 900
5 - Tens or 50
3 - Ones or 3
214,953 can be written in expanded form as: 200,000 + 10,000 + 4000 + 900 + 50 + 3