Read and Write decimal Numbers

How to read decimals?

Decimal numbers are read left to right. When we read decimal numbers, always start with the number that is the left of the decimal place, known as whole number.

If there is no number before the decimal point then call it zero.

There are two ways to read decimal numbers.

(i) The whole number part is read as is, then decimal point is read as point.

After this the fractional part is read as individual digits.

Example: Number 5.7 is read as

“Five point Seven”

Example: The number 23.57 is read as “twenty three point five seven”.

Remember: If there is no number before the decimal point then call it zero.

The decimal number 0.019 is read as “zero point zero, one, nine”.

(ii) The whole number part is read as it is, then read word “and” for the decimal point.

Read whole part to the left of the decimal as we would in any whole number.

Identify which place the last number is in after the decimal.

Then continue to read the number as it is, but end it with the last place value of the number. So, read the number after the decimal and add its numerical place to it.

If there are no any whole number in front of the decimal point then we do not use the word “and” we only read the number as normal with the last place value.

Example: In the number 5.3, 3 is in the tenths place, so the number is read as “five and three tenths.

In the number 5.36,

6 is in the hundredths place, so the number is read as “five and thirty six hundredths”.

In the number 5.368,

8 is in the thousandths place, so read the number as “five and three hundred and sixty eight thousandths.

More Examples:

Number 5.34, we read as

“five and thirty four hundredths”.

23. 17 is read as

“twenty three point one seven” or twenty three and one seven hundredths.

9.12 is read as nine point one- two or nine and twelve hundredths.

3.5 is read as three point five, and 5.17 is read as Five point one seven.

0.6 = Six tenths

0.234 = Two hundred thirty four thousandths

0.762 Seven hundred sixty two thousandths

15.7 = Fifteen and seven tenths

55.8 = Fifty five and eight tenths

3.891 = Three and eight hundred ninety one thousandths

0.02 = Two hundredths

0.0009 = Nine ten thousandths

200.50 = Two hundred and five hundredths

0.035 = Thirty five thousandths

65.472 = sixty five and four hundred seventy two thousandths

0.0035 = Thirty five ten thousandths