Read any big number

The idea

A large number is read easily by first placing commas according to the system being used, then reading each group of digits with its place name (arab, crore, lakh, thousand, or billion, million, thousand).

A very long number

Look at this number: 9876501234. Ten digits all in a row!

What should we do first to read it easily?

• Place the commas
• Count the digits one by one
• Add the digits

Comma, then read

Place the commas, then tap each group from the left to read it. Do it in both systems.

Two steps

To read a large number, first place the commas for the system you are using. Then read each group with its place name: arab, crore, lakh, thousand (Indian) or billion, million, thousand (American).

Same number, two ways of reading it.

• Indian system | American system
• 9,87,65,01,234 | 9,876,501,234
• 9 arab 87 crore 65 lakh 1 thousand 234 | 9 billion 876 million 501 thousand 234

Notes

A large number is read easily by placing commas first, according to the system being used, and then reading each group with its place name.

Check yourself

How do we read 5,40,00,000 in the Indian system?

2,50,00,000 is read “2 crore _ lakh”. What goes in the blank?

Answer: 50

2,50,00,000 = 2 crore 50 lakh.

How do we read 45,600,000 in the American system?

• 54 crore. 54 crore would be 54,00,00,000. Read each group with its own name.
• 5 lakh 40 thousand. That is 5,40,000, a much smaller number. Count the groups again.
• 5 crore 40 lakh — correct. Yes! The groups are 5 | 40 | 00 | 000: crore, lakh, then nothing.
• 4 crore 56 lakh. That reads the same number the Indian way. This question asks for the American system: million, not crore.
• 45 million 600 thousand — correct. Yes! Groups of 3: 45 | 600 | 000.
• 456 million. 456 million is 456,000,000. Read each group with its name: 45 million, then 600 thousand.