How to Read and Write Numbers in Maths

Numbers are defined as count or measurement. The most renowned examples of numbers are natural numbers such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and so on. Generally, individual numbers are represented by symbols, known as numerals, for example, ‘6’ is a numeral that denotes the number 6.

It is important for the students to gain a better understanding of reading and writing different numbers such as whole numbers, large numbers, decimal numbers, etc. as it helps them to solve complex mathematical problems easily.

Here, we will discuss how to read and write numbers in decimals, fractions, whole numbers, and large numbers.

Reading and Writing Large Numbers

Large numbers are the number that is typically larger than those that are generally used in everyday life. For example, in simple counting or monetary transactions, and also appears frequently in the field such as Mathematics, cosmology, cryptography, etc.

A standardized way to read and write numbers is to use the place value chart. A place value chart is divided into periods of ones, thousands, and millions. Let us look at the example of how to read and write large numbers using the place value chart.

Example:

If you are asked to read 10,956, 601, then you can write the given numeral in a place value chart. The digits will be filled up from the right to left position as shown below.

To read the given number, we say that number in each period followed by the names ones, tens, and millions respectively.  We start with the millions, continuing to thousand, and lastly the ones.  In this example, 10 belongs to the period million, 956 belongs to the period thousands, and 601 belongs to the period ones.

The number can be read as ten million, nine hundred and fifty-six thousand, six hundred and one.

On other hand, if you are asked to write 10 million, then how would you write?

You can start by writing 10 in the ‘millions” column as shown below. And then fill the remaining columns with 0. You can use commas to separate the period Ones from Thousands, and another comma to separate the thousands and millions period.

Therefore, 10 million is written as 10,000,000.

Reading and Writing Decimals

Decimals are defined as the set of numbers written together with a dot in between known as decimal points. The digits to the left of the decimal point form the part of the whole number whereas the digits to the right of the decimal point are known as the fractional part.

Reading Decimal Numbers:

There are two different ways to read a decimal number. The first way to read the decimal number is to simply read the whole number part followed by the decimal point and then read the fractional part individually. For example, we read 44.36 as forty-four point thirty-six or forty-four point three six.

The second way to read the decimal number is to read the whole number part first followed by ‘and’, then read the fractional part in the same manner as we read the whole number part but followed by the place value of the last digit. For example, we read 44.36 as forty-four and thirty-six hundredths.

Writing Decimal Numbers

Following are the steps to write a decimal number in words: 

1. First, write the whole number part.

2. Write the word ‘and’ for representing the decimal point

3. Write the decimal number in the same way as you write the whole number part.

4. Write the place value of the digit given at the last.

Let us understand with an example:

How to Write 5.23 in Words?

The decimal number 5.23 can be written easily using the place value chart as shown below:

Write the whole number part.

5

Write the word ‘and’ in place of the decimal point.

and

Write the digits given in the fractional part in the form of the word.

Twenty-three

Finally at last, write the place value of the end digit.

hundredths

Now, putting it together, 5.23 can be written as five and twenty-three hundredths.

Reading and Writing Fractions

Fractions are numerical values that are used to represent any number as an equal part of a whole. They are the real numbers in the form of a/b, where a, and b are integers.

The number written above the horizontal bar of the fraction, known as numerator represents a certain number of parts whereas the number written below the horizontal bar of the fraction, known as denominator represents the number of pieces that make up the whole.

Let us understand with an example. Here is a pizza that is divided into 12 parts.

It means one in twelve equal parts. It can be read as:

• One - twelfth, or

•  1/12

Here,  the numerator is 1 as we are talking about one whole pizza and the denominator is 12 as the whole pizza is divided into 12 equal parts.

Reading Fractions

Following are some of the widely used fractions that can be read as:

Writing Fractions

Fractions can be written in standard form and word form. A fraction written in standard form is known as numbers whereas fractions written in a word form is known as words.

While writing fractions in word form,

• Use cardinal numbers for writing numerators ( 0, 1, 2, 3, 4).

• Use ordinary numbers to write denominators (third, fourth, fifth, sixth, etc).

For example, ⅔, and 5/9 can be written as “two-third” and “five - ninths” respectively.

But there are two exception fractions that have their own words. For example:

½ is written as half, and 1/4 is written as a quarter.

However, you can also use ‘fourth’ in place or ‘quarters’ in American English.

For example, three - fourth of the cake have been finished.

Reading and Writing the Whole Number

Whole numbers, also known as counting numbers, include natural numbers (that start from 1) along with 0. Whole numbers are a part of real numbers that includes all positive integers and 0, but not fractions or decimal.

To read and write whole numbers accurately, it is significant to know place values and how the period of numbers is ordered. Let us learn how to read and write whole numbers.

Reading Whole Numbers

Here are the steps on how to read whole numbers.

• Starting from the right read each three-digit group along with the period name.

• Do not read the period name for ‘ones’

Let us understand how to read the whole number with an example:

Read the number 600, 000, 030, 003:

 600,         000,            030,             003

  ↓             ↓                   ↓                ↓

Billions    Millions     Thousands    Ones

The number is read as “six billions, thirty thousand, three”

As the period is missing, we do not read the period name.  We cannot read as six billion, no million.

Also, every period has 3 digits, Hence, we will divide it as shown below:

030 - Thirty

003 - Three

300 - Three Hundred

Writing Whole Numbers

While writing whole numbers in words, we always include the period(s) name excluding the period name for once.

The place value chart given below helps us to write 5, 016, 325 in words.

Using the place value chart given above, we can write  5, 016, 325 as Five million, sixteen thousand, three hundred twenty-five.

In the above statement, observe how commas divided the sentence to define the periods. Also, observe that period name for once is excluded. And, also observe that the word ‘and’ is not used while writing the whole number in words.