Skill: Read whole numbers to 1,000

Each digit in a whole number has a place:

• Hundreds: groups of 100
• Tens: groups of 10
• Ones: single units

To read a number, say the hundreds first, then the tens and ones.

Example: Read $(406)$

1. Look at the digits by place:

$$\begin{array}{c|c|c} \text{Hundreds} & \text{Tens} & \text{Ones} \\ 4 & 0 & 6 \end{array}$$

2. The $4$ is in the hundreds place, so it means four hundred.

3. The $0$ is in the tens place. It is a placeholder, showing that there are no tens. We do not say “zero tens.”

4. The $6$ is in the ones place, so it means six.

Therefore,

$$406 = \text{four hundred six}$$

Remember: $(1{,}000)$ is read as one thousand.