Writing a number in expanded form just means that we are showing the value of each digit in that number.
This form is handy because it shows what a number really means by defining each of its digits.
Formula to write numbers in expanded form.
- First you need to know the place value of each digit in the number.
- Then their total value, which is what expansion of numbers is based on.
Total value is the product of the digit and its place value.
Example:
Expand 3,532.
3 thousands
5 hundreds
3 tens
2 ones
Therefore, to expand this number we multiply each number by its place value.
= 3 x 1,000
= 3,0000
= 5 x 100
= 500
= 3 x 10
= 30
= 2 x 1
= 2
Hence 3,532 in expanded form is;
3000
500
30
2