Reading decimal numbers

The idea

A decimal number is read as its whole number part, then 'point', then each digit after the point one by one, because each of those digits stands for a separate place value.

How do we say it?

We read 705 as “seven hundred and five”.

How should we read 0.274?

• zero point two hundred seventy-four
• zero point two seven four
• zero point twenty-seven four

Read it aloud

Tap the words in order to read each number. Tap a word in your sentence to take it back.

Digit by digit

After the point, each digit stands for a different place. So we say each digit on its own.

A decimal number is read as its whole number part, then “point”, then each digit after the point one by one, because each of those digits stands for a separate place value.

• Number | Read as
• 705 | seven hundred and five
• 70.5 | seventy point five
• 7.05 | seven point zero five
• 0.274 | zero point two seven four

Notes

Read the whole number part, then “point”, then each digit one by one. 0.274 is “zero point two seven four”.

Check yourself

How do we read 3.06?

How many digits do we say after “point” in 12.375?

Answer: 3

Three digits: three, seven, five. We read it “twelve point three seven five”.

Which number is read “five point zero seven”?

“Seventy point five” is short for...

• three point six. We must say the zero too. It holds the tenths place.
• three point zero six — correct. Yes! We say every digit after the point, including the zero.
• three point sixty. After the point we say digits one by one, not as a number like sixty.
• 5.007. That would be “five point zero zero seven”.
• 5.07 — correct. Yes! 5, point, 0, 7.
• 5.7. That is “five point seven”. The zero is missing.
• seventy and five tenths — correct. Yes! 70.5 is 70 and 5 tenths.
• seventy and five hundredths. The 5 is in the first place after the point: tenths.
• seventy-five. That would be written 75, with no decimal point.