Look at the number 1364:

• The digit 4 is in the ones place
• The digit 6 is in the tens place
• The digit 3 is in the hundreds place
• The digit 1 is in the thousands place

Look at another number 6948:

• The digit 8 is in the ones place
• The digit 4 is in the tens place
• The digit 9 is in the hundreds place
• The digit 6 is in the thousands place

The total value of a digit is the digit multiplied by its place value. This shows how much the digit is really worth in the number.

For example, in the number 9672:

• 9 is in the thousands place, so its total value is $9 \times 1000 = 9000$
• 6 is in the hundreds place, so its total value is $6 \times 100 = 600$
• 7 is in the tens place, so its total value is $7 \times 10 = 70$
• 2 is in the ones place, so its total value is $2 \times 1 = 2$

We can write it like this:

Question: Write the place value and total value of each digit in the number 7985.

Answer:

• Digit 7 is in the thousands place → Total value: $7 \times 1000 = 7000$
• Digit 9 is in the hundreds place → Total value: $9 \times 100 = 900$
• Digit 8 is in the tens place → Total value: $8 \times 10 = 80$
• Digit 5 is in the ones place → Total value: $5 \times 1 = 5$

An abacus can help us see place values clearly. Each rod represents a place value:

• The rightmost rod shows ones
• The next rod shows tens
• The next shows hundreds
• The leftmost shows thousands

If an abacus shows 4 beads on the thousands rod, 2 on the hundreds rod, 6 on the tens rod, and 3 on the ones rod, the number is 4263. This means 4 thousands, 2 hundreds, 6 tens, and 3 ones.

• The position of a digit determines its place value
• Place value increases from right to left (ones → tens → hundreds → thousands)
• Total value = digit × place value
• A digit zero in any place means that place contributes nothing to the total value

In Tanzania, shopkeepers use place value when counting money. If you have TSH 4,672 (four thousand six hundred seventy-two), the digit 4 represents 4 thousand shillings, the 6 represents 6 hundred shillings, the 7 represents 70 shillings, and the 2 represents 2 shillings. Understanding place value helps you count money correctly and make sure you receive the right change when buying goods at the market.