Skill: Read whole numbers to 10,000

A whole number is read by looking at the value of each digit based on its place:

• Thousands
• Hundreds
• Tens
• Ones

For example, read $4{,}006$.

1. The $4$ is in the thousands place, so it means four thousand.
2. The $0$ is in the hundreds place, so there are no hundreds.
3. The $0$ is in the tens place, so there are no tens.
4. The $6$ is in the ones place, so it means six.

Put the parts together:

$$4{,}006=\text{four thousand six}$$

The zeros are placeholders. They show that the number has no hundreds or tens. Remember, a digit is the symbol you see, while its value depends on its place. The number $10{,}000$ is read ten thousand.