Decimal Numbers (Year 6)

In KS2 Maths children will come to understand decimal numbers. In Year Six children should know the place value of figures in decimal numbers to three places - tenths, hundredths and thousandths - and also be capable of adding and subtracting with decimals. They should also be confident when rounding decimal numbers up or down, and be familiar with sums involving decimal measurements such as metres/cm or £/pence.

Decimal numbers contain decimal points, on the left of which are units and on the right tenths, hundredths and thousandths. We use decimal numbers as an alternative to fractions to describe numbers that are smaller than a unit. For example, the fraction ¹⁄₈ could also be written as 0.125. Here we have 1 tenth, 2 hundredths and 5 thousandths. Decimal numbers make addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of fractions much easier. For this reason we have decimal measurements like metres and kilos which all use tenths, hundredths and thousandths.

Take this quiz and find out how well you know decimal numbers.