Understanding decimals expressed in words

key notes :

How do you write a decimal number in word form?

To write a decimal in word form, follow these steps:

  1. Write the whole number part.
  2. Write “and” for the decimal point.
  3. Write the decimal part the same way you would write a whole number.
  4. Write the place value of the last digit.

Let’s try it with 2.37. You can use a place value chart to help!

A place value chart with a two in the ones place, a three in the tenths place, and a seven in the hundredths place.
  • First, write the whole-number part.
    • two
  • Write “and” for the decimal point.
    • and
  • Next, write the word form of the digits in the decimal part.
    • thirty-seven
  • Finally, end with the place value of the last digit.
    • hundredths

Now put it all together! You write 2.37 as two and thirty-seven hundredths.

Sometimes there may be zeros in your number. Let’s try 0.026 as an example.

A place value chart with a zero in the ones place, a zero in the tenths place, a two in the hundredths place, and a six in the thousandths place.

There is no whole number part. Skip the first two steps.

Next, write the word form of the digits in the decimal part.

twenty-six

End with the place value of the last digit.

thousandths

Put the words together. You write 0.026 as twenty-six thousandths.

Learn with an example

Write zero point six eight as a decimal number.________

Use a place value chart. First write the whole-number part.

ones tenthshundredths
0.

Now write the fraction part.

ones tenthshundredths
0.68

Zero point six eight is 0.68.

Write zero point three as a decimal number._________

Use a place value chart. First write the whole-number part.

ones tenths
0.

Now write the fraction part.

ones tenths
0.3

Zero point three is 0.3.

Write zero point one as a decimal number._______

Use a place value chart. First write the whole-number part.

ones tenths
0.

Now write the fraction part.

ones tenths
0.1

Zero point one is 0.1.

Let’s practice!