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Read decimals to thousandths

A decimal through thousandths is interpreted by the place value of each digit: digits to the right of the decimal point represent tenths, hundredths, and thousandths, and the decimal can be read in standard form (for example, “four point zero seven”) or as a fractional quantity (“four and seventy thousandths”). The understanding includes using zeros as meaningful placeholders and recognizing the connection between decimal notation and fractions with denominators of 10, 100, or 1,000; places beyond thousandths are not included.

Detailed Explanation: Read decimals to thousandths

To read a decimal through the thousandths place:

  • The first digit to the right of the decimal is the tenths place.
  • The second digit is the hundredths place.
  • The third digit is the thousandths place.

Read the digits after the decimal as a number of thousandths. Any zero in the middle is a meaningful placeholder.

Example: Read 3.4053.405.

  1. Look at the digits after the decimal point: 405405.
  2. There are three digits, so the last digit is in the thousandths place.
  3. Read the number in standard form: three point four zero five.
  4. Read it as a fraction: 405405 thousandths, or three and four hundred five thousandths.

So,

3.405=3+40510003.405 = 3+\frac{405}{1000}

The zero is important because it shows that there are zero hundredths. Without it, 3.453.45 would mean three and forty-five hundredths, which is a different number.

Learn by doing: Read decimals to thousandths

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