Skill: Write whole numbers in expanded form

To write a whole number in expanded form, break it apart by the place value of each digit. Then add the value of each digit.

Remember these place values:

• Ones
• Tens
• Hundreds
• Thousands
• Ten-thousands
• Hundred-thousands
• Millions

Example: Write $(4{,}305{,}018)$ in expanded form.

1. Look at each digit and its place:

   • $4$ is in the millions place: $(4{,}000{,}000)$
   • $3$ is in the hundred-thousands place: $(300{,}000)$
   • $0$ is in the ten-thousands place: $0$
   • $5$ is in the thousands place: $(5{,}000)$
   • $0$ is in the hundreds place: $0$
   • $1$ is in the tens place: $(10)$
   • $8$ is in the ones place: $8$

2. Add the value of each nonzero digit:

$$4{,}305{,}018 = 4{,}000{,}000+300{,}000+5{,}000+10+8$$

The zeros are placeholders. They show that there are no ten-thousands or hundreds in the number, so those zero-value parts are usually left out of the expanded form.