Young Einstein Mathematics Educational Software Contents

Activity Number 7

Heading : Place Values With A Decimal Unit Pole

Description : Converting a decimal unit pole to a number

Aim/Questions : From the unit pole work out the number shown.

Educational software theory used:

Place Values With A Decimal Unit Pole

Each digit in a number has a different unit value.

Similarly each pole also has a different unit value.

Numbers

The decimal place is the dividing section between whole numbers and decimals.

Everything to the right of the decimal place is decimals.

Everything left of the decimal place is whole numbers.

The far right column of numbers is called the ‘Ones’ units. Each value in this column represents 1 item.

When we move to the next column, we call these units ‘Tens’. Each value in this column represents groups of 10.

As we move further to the left, the next column is called the ‘Hundreds’ units. Each value in this column represents groups of 100.

This pattern continues for each subsequent column and they are known as ‘Thousands’, ‘Ten Thousands’, ‘Hundred Thousands’, ‘Millions’ etc..

When we work on the decimal section, the first place value after the decimal point is called ‘Tenths’, the second one is called ‘Hundredths’ etc..

Unit Poles

Unit poles are made up the same way as our number patterns and have corresponding place values.

The far right pole before the decimal place is called the ‘Ones’ units. Each bead on this pole represents 1 item.

When we move to the next pole, we call these units ‘Tens’. Each bead on this pole represents groups of 10.

As we move further to the left, the pole is called the ‘Hundreds’ units. Each bead on this pole represents groups of 100.

Beads to the immediate right of the decimal place represent ‘Tenths’ and the next column represents ‘Hundredths’.

Educational software Instruction :

1.  Count the beads on each unit pole to work out what digit it represents.

2.  Use the ‘Up’ and ‘Down’ buttons to change the number of beads on the poles.

3.  Press ‘Enter’ when you have finished.

Module 7. These Instructions from 'Young Einstein Mathematics educational software by Maths Practice are Copyright. Copyright Maths Practice P/L 2003 ©