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Last updated on 16 September 2025
The difference between place value and face value is, face value is the numerical value of the digit, whereas the place value is based on the digit's position in a number (ones, tens, hundreds, etc).
The value of a digit depends on its position within the number. Place value is obtained by multiplying the digit by the value of its position.
Example:
For 5 in 6532 |
The place value of 5 is 500 because the 5 is in the hundreds place |
For 3 in 3641 |
The place value of 3 is 3000 because the 3 is in the thousands place |
Face value refers to the actual value of the digit, independent of its position.
Example:
For 5 in 6532 |
The face value of 5 is 5 |
For 3 in 3641 |
The face value of 3 is 3 |
Place Value | Face Value |
The value is based on its position | The value is the digit itself |
Changing the position changes its value | Changing the position doesn't change its value |
In 485, the place value of 4 is 400 because it is at the hundreds position | In 485, the face value of 4 is 4. |
The rightmost digit's value is its number; moving left, each digit's value increases by a power of ten. | This doesn't depend on the position of the number. |
The place value of a digit is calculated by multiplying its face value by its positional value.
Formula: Place value = Face value × Positional Value
Example:
What is the place value of the digits 4, 7, and 8 in the number 24783?
We determine the place value of the digits in 24783 from right to left.
Therefore, the place value of 4, 7, and 8 will be:
4 at the 1000s place, so 4 × 1000 = 4000
7 at the 100s place, so 7 × 100 = 700
8 at 10s place, so 8 × 10 = 80
So, the place value of 4 is 4000, the place value of 7 is 700, and the place value of 8 is 80.
Place value helps us identify which number is greater and which is smaller. The place value of a number is determined from right to left. Using place value, we can arrange numbers in order.
1. Numbers with an unequal number of digits.
If one number has more digits than the other, then the number with more digits is always the larger one. For example, between 40 and 400, 40 has 2 digits and 400 has 3 digits. Hence, 400 is the larger number.
2. Numbers with an equal number of digits.
Two numbers with an equal number of digits are compared using the leftmost digit's place value. If the leftmost digit of one number has a greater place value than that of another, then that number is greater.
For example, between 321 and 638
638 is greater
Because the leftmost digit of 321 is 3.
Multiplying 3 by its place value, we get 3 × 100 = 300
Next, the leftmost digit of 638 is 6.
Multiplying 6 by its place value, we get 6 × 100 = 600
When 300 and 600 are compared, the greater number is 600.
The place value and face value are the two basic concepts in mathematics. In our daily life, these concepts are applied in various scenarios like:
Dealing with place value and face value can be confusing for kids. It is important to learn their differences correctly. Given below are some mistakes that can be made by students and the solutions that can be applied:
What is the place value of each digit 9, 4, and 8 in the number 46389?
4 = 40000
8 = 80
9 = 9
In the number, 46389,
The position of the digit 4 is in the ten thousand place, 6 is in thousands, 3 is in hundreds place, 8 is in tens place, and 9 is in one place.
The place values of the digits 4, 9, and 8 are:
4 × 10000 = 40000
8 × 10 = 80
9 × 1 = 9
So, the place value of 4 is 40000, the place value of 8 is 80, and the place value of 9 is 9.
What is the place value of the 6 in the number 2647?
600
In number 2647,
Position of the digit 6 is in 100s
6 is at the 100s place, so 6 ×100 = 600
So, the place value of 6 is 600
What is the place value of the digit 0 in the number 24098?
0 = 100s
From left to right in number, 24098
The position of the digit 0 is in 100s, even though 0 does not hold any value.
What is the place value of each digit 7, 5, and 8 in the number 765489?
4 = 4000
7 = 700
8 = 80
From left to right in number, 765489
7 is at the 100000s place, so 7 × 100000 = 700000
5 is at the 1000s place, so 5 × 1000 = 5000
8 is at 10s place, so 8 × 10 = 80
So, the place value of 4 is 4000, the place value of 7 is 700, and the place value of 8 is 80.
Hiralee Lalitkumar Makwana has almost two years of teaching experience. She is a number ninja as she loves numbers. Her interest in numbers can be seen in the way she cracks math puzzles and hidden patterns.
: She loves to read number jokes and games.