Skill: Write numbers in expanded form

Expanded form shows the value of each digit in a number. Look at the digit’s place:

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

Example: Write $704$ in expanded form.

1. The $7$ is in the hundreds place, so it is worth $700$.
2. The $0$ is in the tens place, so it is worth $0$ tens, or $0$.
3. The $4$ is in the ones place, so it is worth $4$.

Add the place values:

$$704 = 700 + 0 + 4$$

We can leave out the $0$ when writing the sum:

$$704 = 700 + 4$$

The zero is still important because it holds the tens place.