Numbers
3. Decimals
Our numbering system uses ten digits (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9), together with place values, to represent whole numbers. For example, 32 apples represents three multiples of ten (3 x 10) apples, and two single apples.
Using a decimal point, we can refer to values ‘in between’ whole numbers, for example, 1.5 is a value between 1 and 2, and 12.25 is a value between 12 and 13.
Digits on the left of a decimal point are whole numbers, while digits on the right represent fractions.
Decimal systems of calculation and measurement are widely used around the world .
These include decimal currency systems, including our own, and the metric system for weights and measures.
Smaller and smaller values can be represented by increasing the number of places used to the right of the decimal point (for example 0.00082), with the first place to the right representing a tenth (1/10), followed by a hundredth (1/100), a thousandth (1/1000) and so on.