What is the Tenths Place?

S1-SA2-0249

Grade Level:

Class 4

Maths, Finance, Science, Computing, AI

Definition

What is it?

The Tenths Place is the first digit immediately to the right of the decimal point in a number. It represents parts of a whole that are divided into ten equal pieces. For example, in 3.45, the '4' is in the tenths place.

Simple Example

Quick Example

Imagine you have a delicious pizza cut into 10 equal slices. If you eat 3 slices, you've eaten 0.3 of the pizza. Here, '3' is in the tenths place, showing you ate 3 out of 10 parts of the whole pizza.

Worked Example

Step-by-Step

Let's find the digit in the tenths place for the number 15.78.
---Step 1: Identify the decimal point in the number. In 15.78, the decimal point is between 5 and 7.
---Step 2: Remember that the tenths place is the first digit immediately to the right of the decimal point.
---Step 3: Look at the digits to the right of the decimal point: 7 and 8.
---Step 4: The first digit to the right is 7.
---Answer: The digit in the tenths place for 15.78 is 7.

Why It Matters

Understanding the tenths place is crucial for working with decimals, which are everywhere in daily life. From calculating precise measurements in science and engineering to managing money in finance, knowing decimal places helps you be accurate. It's also fundamental for fields like AI and computing where data precision is key.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE: Confusing the tenths place with the tens place. | CORRECTION: The tens place is to the LEFT of the decimal (e.g., the '1' in 15.78), while the tenths place is to the RIGHT (e.g., the '7' in 15.78).

MISTAKE: Thinking the tenths place is the second digit after the decimal. | CORRECTION: The tenths place is ALWAYS the FIRST digit immediately after the decimal point.

MISTAKE: Ignoring the decimal point and just picking the first digit from the left. | CORRECTION: Always locate the decimal point first, then look at the digit directly to its right for the tenths place.

Practice Questions

Try It Yourself

QUESTION: What digit is in the tenths place in the number 29.35? | ANSWER: 3

QUESTION: A tailor used 4.65 meters of cloth for a shirt. Which digit represents the tenths of a meter used? | ANSWER: 6

QUESTION: If you have a number where the digit 8 is in the ones place, and the digit 2 is in the tenths place, what could the number be? (Give one example) | ANSWER: 8.2 (or 8.21, 8.25, etc.)

MCQ

Quick Quiz

Which of these numbers has '5' in the tenths place?

52.1

1.52

15.2

0.05

The Correct Answer Is:

In 1.52, the decimal point is after '1'. The first digit to its right is '5', which is in the tenths place. In other options, '5' is in the tens, ones, or hundredths place.

Real World Connection

In the Real World

When you buy vegetables at a local market, the price might be like ₹35.50 per kg. Here, the '5' after the decimal point tells you the price includes 50 paise, which is 5 tenths of a rupee. Similarly, weather reports often show rainfall as 2.3 mm, where the '3' is in the tenths place, indicating precise measurement.

Key Vocabulary

Key Terms

DECIMAL POINT: A dot separating the whole number part from the fractional part of a number. | PLACE VALUE: The value of a digit based on its position in a number. | FRACTION: A part of a whole. | WHOLE NUMBER: A number without any fractional or decimal part.

What's Next

What to Learn Next

Great job understanding the tenths place! Next, you should explore the 'Hundredths Place' and 'Thousandths Place'. These build on what you've learned, helping you work with even smaller parts of a whole number, which is essential for more complex calculations.