Help Haiti.    Help flood victims in Pakistan

Appetizers and Lessons for Mathematics and Reason
by A. Selby, Ph. D.   Feedback & Questions

20 pages in French: Algèbre  
 Définition d'une variable
  
La raison basée sur les  règles et modelés

www.whyslopes.com >>  Number Theory & Practices  >>   Decimal Place Value     Back ] Up ] Next ]



Place Value

whole number counting with decimals

Digit by Digit Decimal Place Value

First Example

 Decimal place value says

3452  = 2 ones + 5 tens + 4 hundreds + 3 thousands

where the plus sign + may be read as the word and.  The recognition of place value from right to left means the place value of the leading digit is found last rather than first. We might read

3452 aloud as   3 thousands, 4 hundreds, 5 tens and 2 ones

 So the right to left direction in which place value is found

 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
3452 
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

is opposite to the left to right direction in which the number is read aloud in word form.

Second Example

The significance or value of the the digits in the larger whole number represented by the decimal

23,456,778
<<<<<<<<<

is given from right to left by   8 ones, 7 tens, 7 hundreds, 6 thousands, 5 ten thousands, 4 one hundred thousands, 3 millions, 2 ten millions, and read from left to right as 

2 ten millions,  3 millions, 4 one hundred thousands, 5 ten thousands, 6 hundred thousands, 7 hundreds, 7 tens and 8 ones

Each column in a decimal representation of a whole number, except for the last,  has a place value ten times greater than the following column

Groups of Three Place Value

Second Example Revisited

Reading Aloud in Groups of Three

We may also read 23,456,778 backward as

778 ones, 456 thousands and 23 millions, 

and forward as

23 millions,  456 thousands and 778 ones

Third Example

For longer numbers, we find place value from right to left

         96 456 899 138 443 704 789 123
 <<<<<

123 ones
789 thousands
704 millions
443 billions  (a US billion is a thousand million)
138 trillions 
899 quadrillions
456 quintillions
96 sextillions

Hence from left to right,    96 456 899 138 443 704 789 123 is

96 sextillions,  456 quintillions, 899 quadrillions,
138 trillions, 443 billions,
704 millions, 789 thousands and 123 ones

Each group of three (or less) in a decimal representation of a whole number, except for the last group of three,  has a place value a thousand  times greater than the following column

Reading numbers aloud from right to left and then left to right in groups of three could provide two to four  hilarious exercises in primary or secondary school mathematics class. 

Fourth Example: 

 Avogrado's Number  may be introduced as the number of Carbon-12 atoms in 12 grams of the substance.   

Avogrado's Number to three significant digits is

 6.02 * 1023 = 602 000  000 000  000 000 000 000

= 602 sextrillions or 0.602 septrillions.

sextrillions quintillions quadrillions trillions billions millions thousands ones
 000 000  000  000  000  000  000  000
21 18 15 12 9   6 3

To more  significant digits

Avogadro's number = 6.0221415 × 1023

Now 1021   = one septillion.  So Avogradros numbers is 602.21415 sextrillions or

 602 sextrillions plus 214 quintrillions plus 15 quadrillion

to the nearest 10 quadrillion. The foregoing discussion may help.

A Slightly Different Viewpoint 

The exercise of reading decimal aloud with several places before and after the decimal point can provide comic relief in a mathematics class while developing and reinforcing place value comprehension. 

 A compound number like  345325 may be expressed at length in words as  three hundred thousand, four ten thousands, five thousands, three hundreds, two tens and five ones. It may be expanded numerically as 

 3 × 105 + 4 × 104 + 5 × 103 + 3 × 102 + 2 × 101 + 1 × 100

where 100 = one, 101 = ten, 102 = one hundred, 103 = one thousand, 104 = ten thousand and 105 = one hundred thousand. Now 325 and 345 may be read aloud as 3-2-5 and 3-4-5 respectively.  With that convention, we express 345325 as 345 thousands and 325 ones. More generally, a large number like

38, 782, 456, 876, 765, 304, 289, 533, 450, 514, 613 

may read aloud backward as 

613 ones, 514 thousands, 450 millions, 533 billions, 289 trillions, 289 quadrillions, 304 quintillions,  765 sextillions, 876 septillions, 456 octillions, 782 nonillions and 38 decillions

and so save the decimal places to last. 

Reference: Names of Big Numbers

Likewise,

103.038, 782, 456, 876, 765, 304, 289, 533, 450, 514, 613 

may be read forward direction as 

103 ones, 38 thousandths, 782 millionths, 456 billionths, 876 trillionths, 765 quadrillionths, 304 quintillionths, 289 sextillionths, 450 octillionths, 514 nonillionths and 613 decillionths.

It is simple an exercise to express the numbers and fractions decillions =1030  to decillionths = 10-30  in power of ten. 

Metric Development

This treatment is for countries where a billion is a million million.  My personal preference is to develop comprehension of decimal value in groups of three, and not in groups of six because multiples (or powers + & -) of a 1000 may be easier for students than multiples of a million. 

Now 325 and 345 may be read aloud as 3-2-5 and 3-4-5 respectively.  With that convention, we express 345325 as 345 thousands and 325 ones. More generally, a large number like

876, 765, 304, 289, 533, 450, 514, 613 

may read aloud backward as 

613 ones, 514 kilo-units, 450 megaunits, 533 gigaunits 289 teraunits, 289 peta-units 304  exa-units,  765 zetta-units 876 yota-units 

and so save the decimal places to last. 

Reference: SI Prefixes

Likewise,

103.038, 782, 456, 876, 765, 304, 289, 533, 450 

may be read forward direction as 

103 ones, 38 milli-units, 782 mirco-units, 456 nano-units, 876 pico-units, 765 femto-units, 304 atto-units, 289 zepto-units and 450 yocto-units , 

It is simple an exercise to express the numbers and fractions decillions = 1030  to decillionths = 10-30  in power of ten. 

In college and senior high school courses in science

Avogadro's number = 6.0221415 × 1023

may be introduced as the number of Carbon-12 atoms in 12 grams of the substance.   
Now 1021   = one septillion.  So Avogradros numbers is 602.21415 zetta units or

 602 zetta-units plus 214 exo-units plus 150 peta-units

to the nearest 10 peta-units. 

 

       

 

Number Theory & Practices

Decimal Place Value

A. Start of Number Theory
Section Entrance
Origins of Counting
Adding Wholes
Multipling Wholes
Distributive Law  Preamble
Distributive Law for Wholes
Consequences
More Consequences
What is a Fraction
Compound Fractions
Extrinsic Numbers Theory
Origins of Counting or Tallying

B. More Number Theory
& Practices

Arithmetic Videos
Decimal Place Value
Place Value Reinforcement
Addition Method
Comparison Method
Subtraction Methods
Multiplication Methods
Division Methods
Long Division Continued
Remainder Arithmetic I
Primes & Composites
Primes Factorization Theorem
GCMs and LCMs from Primes
Prime Factorization Aids
Prime Factorization Examples
Counting  Whole No.  Factors
N-th Roots and Primes
Fractions & Decimals
Fractions as Decimals
1 = 0.999 Recurring
Infinite Decimals Expansion Arith
Ratio of Simple Fractions
Ratio of Decimal Fractions
Unsigned Reals Numbers
Signed Coordinates
Plane Vectors
Horizontal Vectors
Adding Vector Multiplies
Adding Signed Numbers
Multiplying Signed Numbers
Distributive Law for Reals
Real Numbers Axioms
Remainder Arithmetic II

See too complex numbers.

For Senior High School  & Calculus Students

  <| (o)   (o)   |> 
 \     | |      / 
\___ _/

||
 -/[]\- 
||
   / \_ 

Words  to clearly introduce algebra and variables have been missing in course design. For people who cannot do algebra, 
the missing words may explain or ease their difficulties.  Volume 2 ,Three Skills for Algebra,  in Chapters 8 to 14 & 18 etc, puts words before symbols to providing the missing words in a way that enrich the comprehension of all.  Those words form the middle part of a algebra (and logic) lessons aimed at helping or improving all of  high school mathematics and also calculus course design & delivery. 

For Avid Readers in School & Out - Online Books 
   1.  Elements of Reason. 1996 
1A. Pattern Based Reason  1995 
1B. Math Curriculum Notes 1996 
2. Three Skills for Algebra  1995 
3.
Why Slopes & More.Math 1995
Tour their 
forewords.   

Calculus Prep or Help: See Volumes 2 & 3, and this bigger Calculus Guide.  If your  calculus   questions is not answered here, submit it. Over time, that may complete the site development of calculus. 

For Parents: Speaking Skills, Reading & Writing Preparing for Scienceends, values and methods for work and study,  parent- friendly maths skill development booklets for ages 4-14.

Mostly For High School

Intro to Solving Linear Equations
 
- a different paths for junior and even senior high school students. Question for Tutors: When do you use and when you skip the stick diagram method here?

Fraction Skills,  thought-based  development, Ages 10 to 14 may need a tutor.  Students who have to understand in order to do may like the development in all or part. 

For Senior High School Mathematics & Calculus

5
wordy Logic Chapters
4 curious Algebra Chapters
Words before & besides symbols. A Key Algebra forward & backwards Chapter   
 

First Calculus Preview (1st intro)
Four Calculus Chapters  (2nd intro)
Intro to Complex Numbers (long)
Intro to Mathematical Induction (romantic & wordy at first)

Tutors & Instructors: These lessons introduce skills differently Would you recommend them? 

More Topics 

1. Decimal Arithmetic  Reference!
2. Integers - Intro to Signed No.s

3.  Fractions - fully explained.
4.  Fractions  with Units  
5.   Number Theory
6.    Solving Linear Equations  
Formulas for- & backwards -  
8.  Proportionality, Back- & For-wards.   
9. Logic Chapters:   
10.  Euclidean-Geometry  
11.  Slopes & Equations of Straight Lines.  (Take I. See take II below)
12.  Why Study Slopes
13. Maps, Plans,  Similarity & Trig,  
  (Take II included here)
14.  Quadratics: Starter lessons
15.  Polynomials: Starter lessons 
16 Why Factor Polynomials:  
17   Functions - Forwards & Backwards.  
18.  Exponents, Radicals & logs.  
19
Complex Numbers before trig (new advance/ starter lesson)
20.  DC Electric Circuits Etc 
21.
Real  Analysis 
22. The Olde Complex No, Trig
& Vector Section.
23. More Calculus Stuff
- written after Volumes 2 and 3.

Level I Material: New Stuff
Time and Date Matters
Level I Arithmetic. 
Money Matters
Measurement Matters
Matters of Chance (Risk Control)
Logic Chapters (leave what's not clear in Level I to Level II)
Using/Making Maps and Plans.
(A variant of
Maps, Plans,  Similarity & Trig,  to appear here).

For Instructors
-
Education Essays   (opinions, possibilities, references) 
- Free Advice and Directions for teaching primary & high school maths will be given in online meeting place with voice & whiteboard.   
- Math & Logic  How-TOs 
1. Arithmetic
2. Algebra
3. More Algebra
4.  Beginner Geometry
5.  More Geometry
6. Calculus 
7. Show Work or Logic 
These may be too dense for students.

Offering ideas to change education makes this site different.  Nothing ventured, nothing gained.  Site material is mathematically  correct, and where not, please report errors. The two level program POMME in the site entrance implies multiple paths for instruction. Supporting those paths in turn implies a clear destination  for site development and perhaps a new name.


 


www.whyslopes.com >>  Number Theory    >>  Decimal Place Value     Back ] Up ] Next ]


Road Safety Message   Walk on a side walk. If that is not possible, try  not to  walk on a road with your back to the traffic.
Try to see what  trucks, cars, buses or bicycles are coming, so that you may step out of their way.  Put safety first. .

Support for Technical Mathematics from Number Theory to Calculus Prep

A. More Arithmetic a must for algebra etc D. Logic In Mathematics G. Algebra with Take Home Value I. Vectors & Functions
Decimal Lesson - Reference  
Counting & Addition
   (8 lessons)
Comparison to Subtraction
  (9 lessons)
Multiplication
( 11 lessons)
Long Division  (12 lessons)
Decimals and Primes (8 lessons)
-Primes & Composites 
-Primes Factorization
-Greatest Common Divisors & Multiples.
 
-Prime Factorization Aids 
(Learn how to find factors quickly)
-Prime Factorization Examples
 
-Counting & Generating. Factors

-Divisibility Rules and Remainders for Division by 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11.
Integers (12 lessons) Intro to Signed Numbers
Fractions (< 20 lessons)  Essential Skills & Concepts 
Ratios & Fractions (3 lessons):  Similarities & Differences
  
Units in calculations
Fractions  with Units
B.  Basic Algebra
Solving Linear Equations  
- in one unknown. Intro  with stick diagrams?
the normal way
 & with good nttn.
(the nttn that reappears in Gaussian Elimination. |
-in more unknowns: simultaneous equations essentially one unknown. the let algebra do the work view of  word problems.
  - still in more unknowns:  Gaussian Elimination via substitution, by equality or comparison, by operations on equations
C. More Algebra
Words before symbols: See if U like the lengthy chapters 8 to 12 in Volume 2, Three Skills for Algebra  
What is a Variable.  The answer here  is a simple prequel to the modern mathematics viewpoint.
First, every rule & pattern U meet in math, logic & science will be used forwards and backwards.  Get a head start with this theme by reading  Chapter 14 in Three Skills for AlgebraSecond, in the study of Proportionality Relations (3 dense lessons here) finding the proportionality constant gives an initial  backward  use of the proportionality formula.
 Talking about words before symbols and the forward and backward use of formulas gives words to make algebra simpler & clearer.  
If you can not read or write precisely, you will have difficulty in following instructions.  One wordy remedy  is given by chapters 2 to 5  in Three Skills for AlgebraWhere does Logic or a geometric model for reason Appear in Mathematics? The answer lies in  Euclidean-Geometry    In North America, Euclidean Geometry disappeared from high school mathematics as it was too hard. The light treatment here is a possible remedy.
E.  More Geometry
The Pythagorean Theorem. Chapter 17 from  in Three Skills for Algebra uses algebra and geometry   to show why the  Pythagorean equation  for right triangles holds. Its forward and backward use  is common exercise..  At a more theoretical level, the Pythagorean theorem leads the discovery that not all lengths can be  fractional multiples of a unit length. That geometrically implies a  need for and even existence of irrational numbers.
Analytic Geometry:
Common Practices with  Maps and Plans drawn to scale  give coordinate-dependent base  for senior high school development of similarity, trig, vectors and straight lines.   
Complex Numbers: This lesson on
Complex Numbers  draws on Euclidean and Analytic geometry. Sbortcuts simplifiy  trig identities, the cosine law; and   trig formulas for 2D dot- and cross-products. 

F. Logarithms, Exponentials,
Roots & Powers

Logarithms, exponentials, rational and real powers for secondary students. This  complete Operational Viewpoint. (Sufficient for the precalculus forward and backward use of compound growth and decay formulas in biology, physics, chemistry,  personal finance, and calculus. To learn more, if you study calculus,  see chapter 19 of Volume 3, Why Slopes and More.Math

In Volume 2, Three Skills for Algebra, chapters
  1. Geometric Sums Etc,
  2. Notation For Sums,
  3. Personal Money Maths and
  4. Some Finite Mathematics
identify methods useful in money computations, methods needed for calculus. Your teachers or other writer may present the same ideas with greater clarity and detail - A site to do.

H. Polynomial & Quadratics

Analytic Geometry:   -  Slopes and Lines - Take 1.   Take 2 appears in site section Maps and Plans.   Two views are better than one.  I may combine them later.  -In my school days, slopes appeared year after year.   This Why  Slopes calculus preview on graphs of functions y = f(x) explains why.  Enjoy.
Quadratics and Polynomials: Operations on Polynomials:
Meet a light and ultraquick geometric introduction to  multiplication, addition and subtraction of polynomials. Then see how the foregoing combine to permit long division of polynomials.    Compare Fractions  with Units. Enrichment: A Plus:  The Geometric introduction here gives or is almost identical to a justification for column methods in decimal arithmetic. 
Geometric Derivation of the Quadratic Formula  The account here gives a starter lesson for the more algebraically harder geometric-free derivation. If you study physics, chemistry or trigonometry, you will need to know about quadratics, their factorization and the quadratic formula.
Technical Value: The study of polynomials  high school mathematics has technical value as part of the senior high school mathematics preparation for calculus.  This simple account of Why Factor Polynomials   (Chapters 2 to 6 in Volume 3 .Why.Slopes.&.More.Math.) will give a context for the study of polynomials,  their factorization, and sign analysis of functions, all in a way that should improve your algebraic thinking and reasoning skills. 
Vectors in the Plane (2 simple lessons)
- Navigation with vectors or arrows
- Sum of Motions
- more lessons to be added later.
Operations on movement or vectors along the line and in the plane have value in mathematics in defining and implying the properties of real and complex numbers before the assumption of those properties as axioms.  Vectors and their properties appear in physics, its mathematical description and formulation. 
Functions - Forwards & Backwards.  Here is a full technical reference (24 lessons) for use in a calculus or precalculus course as needed. In it, the set viewpoint of functions expression of modern pure mathematics.  comes from the set-based codification and
In the mathematics education reforms of the 1960s in North America, primary and secondary school mathematics were expressed in terms of sets. That expression has now retreated from primary and secondary school texts. But it still lingers on, and can be very useful, a source of clarity and precision, in the situations where it should be retained: Counting with the aid of sets and functions; the description of functions; the high school account of probability theory; and in the discussion or illustration of ideas in logic. 

J. Pre-Calculus Skill Check

Arithmetic Skill Check.  In the calculus courses I taught 1983-89, too many students had weak skills in arithmetic. I would give and carefully correct these exercises to tell students what they needed to review and master.  
-  All the skills and concepts in 
Chapters 1 to 24 or Volume 2, Three Skills for Algebra: Look for those you do not understand and fill the gaps. Do so quickly while balancing this advice with  your other duties.  Good luck.

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.
Copyright to comments & contributions are owned by the Poster. 
The Rest © 1995 onward by site author,   Alan Selby
,  All Rights Reserved.