Each place is worth 10 times the place to its right
Seeing why each place is worth ten times the next gives your child the reason behind multiplying and dividing by 10, 100, and 1,000, from working out 30 × 40 in their head to turning meters into centimeters. In 5th grade it extends to decimals, where each place to the right is one tenth of the one before, so 0.7 is ten times 0.07. Without it, decimals tend to feel like a separate set of rules.
In this video, your child will learn to see that each place is worth ten times as much.
The lesson stops at each question for your child's answer.
Three problems, each a little harder
Each problem is worked step by step. Your child will solve the last one before Bobby shows how.
Example 1
7 × 10 = ?
Example 2
700 ÷ 70 = ?
Your child's turn
430 × 10 = ?
The two key steps
- 11 place left is 10 times as much
- 2× 10: each digit moves 1 left
Mistakes to listen for
- Saying the 3 in 3,000 and the 3 in 300 are worth the same, without looking at their places.
- Seeing 500 as 450 more than 50 but not as ten times 50, because they think each place adds rather than multiplies.
- Using "multiply by 10, add a zero" as a trick, without being able to explain why 60 × 10 = 600.
The lesson shows every step, so your child sees why it works. Read our parent's guide to why each place is worth ten times the next →
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More 4th grade Numbers & Place Value, with questions your child answers along the way.
Questions parents ask
Does my child need an account to watch?
No. You can watch this on any device at any time. If your child would like to practice why each place is worth ten times the next, and you'd like parent-friendly reports on your child's progress and growth, you can join Bobby's Math Club for unlimited free practice.
What happens when my child answers a question?
A right answer gets a cheer, and the lesson carries on. If your child isn't sure, they can tap "I don't know yet", and Bobby gives the answer and shows another example. Nothing is scored or stored.
Is this the same lesson that's on YouTube?
Yes. Here, the lesson stops at each question and waits for your child to answer. On YouTube, each question stays on screen for a few seconds, and then the lesson plays on.
Where can I learn more?
There's a short, kid-friendly lesson like this one for every Pre-K to 5th grade math skill, all in our video library. Our parent's guide to why each place is worth ten times the next has more on where kids get stuck and how you can help at home. In the club, your child practices at just the right level, about five minutes a day, and you get parent-friendly reports as they grow. Learn more about how it works →
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Questions at your child's level, about five minutes a day, on why each place is worth ten times the next and whatever PK-5 skills they need to develop. Unlimited practice, free forever.
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