Place Value — 2nd Grade Lesson
Students will understand the value of digits in three-digit numbers, read and write numbers in expanded form, and compare place value.
2nd Grade · Place Value · ~20 min lesson
What is place value?
Place value is the idea that where a digit sits in a number tells you its value. In 352, the digit 3 isn’t just “3” — it’s 3 hundreds (300).
Hundreds, tens, and ones
| Place | Value | In 352 |
|---|---|---|
| Hundreds | × 100 | 3 → 300 |
| Tens | × 10 | 5 → 50 |
| Ones | × 1 | 2 → 2 |
So 352 = 300 + 50 + 2.
Expanded form
Writing a number as the sum of its place values is called expanded form.
236 = 200 + 30 + 6
The tricky zero
When a place has nothing, we write 0 to hold the spot — never skip it.
309 = 300 + 0 + 9 (three hundred nine, not three hundred nineteen)
10 more, 10 less — 100 more, 100 less
- 10 more than 250 = 260 (add one ten)
- 10 less than 250 = 240
- 100 more than 250 = 350
- 100 less than 250 = 150
Comparing numbers
Compare the hundreds first, then tens, then ones.
142 vs 124: same hundreds (1), then compare tens: 4 > 2 → 142 > 124.
How to practice at home
- Base-ten blocks: group objects into hundreds, tens, and ones.
- The hidden digit: write a number, ask the value of one digit.
- Build and break: say 300 + 40 + 5, have your child say 345.
- More or less: pick a number, ask for 10 more/less and 100 more/less.
Practice with the exercises above, then download these free printable worksheets:
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
In the number 475, what digit is in the tens place?
💡 Hundreds, tens, ones: 4 hundreds, 7 tens, 5 ones.
What is the value of the 5 in 352?
💡 It's in the tens place, so 5 tens = 50.
Write 200 + 30 + 6 as a number.
💡 2 hundreds, 3 tens, 6 ones.
What number has 3 hundreds, 0 tens, and 9 ones?
💡 Keep the 0 in the tens place.
What is 10 more than 250?
💡 Add one ten.
Which is greater: 142 or 124?
💡 Compare hundreds, then tens: 4 vs 2.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- Counting to 100
- Tens and ones from 1st grade
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Reading 305 as 'three hundred five' but writing 35
- Confusing the value of a digit with the digit itself (the 5 in 352 is 50, not 5)
What to Learn Next
Browse more Place Value worksheets or explore all 2nd Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
Place Value: Hundreds, Tens, and Ones Worksheet
Read the hundreds flats, tens rods, and ones units, then write the three-digit number they show.
Expanded Form Worksheet
Write each number in expanded form — the hundreds, plus the tens, plus the ones.
Value of the Underlined Digit Worksheet
Write the value of the named digit in each number - is it worth ones, tens, or hundreds?
10 More, 10 Less Worksheet
Ten more means adding 10; ten less means taking 10 away. The ones digit stays the same — only the tens change.
100 More, 100 Less Worksheet
Find 100 more and 100 less than a number by adding or removing one hundred-flat.
Writing Numbers in Words Worksheet
Write each number in words, using place value to build the word form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is place value for 2nd grade?
Understanding that the position of a digit tells its value. In 352, the 5 means 5 tens (50), not 5 ones. Students read and write three-digit numbers and compare them.
Why does place value matter?
Place value is the foundation of adding, subtracting, and regrouping. Without it, carrying and borrowing make no sense — it's the most important math concept of the primary grades.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.